It didn't matter wherever David and Penny Tilly went in the world: from UK to Europe, from Singapore to Malaysia to Thailand - there was always one constant.
“If there was a city which had a Hard Rock Café in it, then we’d always go,” said Penny. “We just love everything about it.”
For most people that would have been more than enough – the opportunity to visit their favorite restaurant in every conceivable location. But these North East entrepreneurs wanted to take their devotion one step further and they have finally fulfilled their dream, bringing Hard Rock to the North East. The road to Newcastle’s Hard Rock Café – elegantly situated in the historic Guildhall at the Quayside – has not been the smoothest one, not least because this is Penny and David’s first foray into hospitality. But it is a lesson in how passion, determination and the entrepreneurial spirit can absolutely pay off. David and Penny had both worked initially in the healthcare industry. They are used to talking risks, using their experience to set up their own company in 1998 manufacturing essential products for use in hospitals and care homes. They took a huge gamble back then and were having to face the fact that the business they had ploughed all their savings into may cost them dearly – until an order came in from a local hospital which set them on the path to success.
Care-Ability continued to build its reputation and growth, with the couple eventually selling out and looking for their next project. It was after returning from holiday and they were sitting outside a bar on Grey St Newcastle that Penny lamented the fact that it’s a shame there was no Hard Rock Café closer to home as we could just do with a visit for some great music, food and drink.
“I decided to have a look on the Hard Rock website, and it stated they weren’t planning to offer franchises,” in the U.K. she said. “So, I thought that was the end of that idea.” However reluctant to give up their dream, the couple were presented with the opportunity to speak direct to Hard Rock International whilst sat in Hard Rock Café Kuala Lumpur through a family member from Australia who they were holidaying with. After returning David had a conversation with Hard Rock International in Orlando who then arranged a visit to Newcastle to assess the possibility of bringing the brand to the city. Supported by agencies such as NGI and NE1 the first tentative steps were taken towards bringing a Hard Rock to the Newcastle begun.
First of all, finding a possible location was key and David and Penny went to look at the Guildhall situated on the Quayside. Despite the fact it is a Grade I listed building – with all of the restrictions that come with that – the pair believed it was the perfect location. The challenges have been many – not least because of the little matter of a global pandemic which hit Hard Rock as it has with all hospitality – along with creating the high standards that the world has come to expect. But anyone who visits will be in no doubt it has been worth the wait. The restaurant can take up to 180 covers on two levels, offering many of Hard Rock’s signature dishes and a few specials to reflect the latest opening. The requisite Hard Rock – Rock Shop full of merchandise is also on site and Hard Rock wouldn’t be a Hard Rock without the glass displays filled with fascinating rock and roll memorabilia.
Now open, this fantastic enterprise is down to the sheer tenacity of David and Penny. “It’s been a lot of work but so worth it,” said Penny. “And now we don’t have to go quite as far to enjoy Hard Rock Cafe!”
