Sheffield couple behind popular Bradway bistro ‘relight the fire’ of Ecclesfield sandwich shop

A couple have transformed a sandwich shop in Ecclesfield that has been closed for eight years into a thriving cafe after the pandemic forced the owners to lose lots of business with their catering company.

Andy Forder and his wife, Megan, have taken over the running of the building on Green Lane that previously solely housed Harrods Caterers, owned by Andy’s in-laws, Pauline and Roger Harrod, who have owned the building for over 30 years.

Because of the success of Andy’s Bradway bistro, S17, the Harrods and Forders jointly decided to start Green Lane Kitchen, a two generation enterprise that has been thriving in its first week since it opened on Wednesday, March 24 after only two months of planning.

"If it wasn’t for the pandemic we wouldn’t be opening the shop again,” said Andy, who lives in nearby Grenoside.

"Because there is not much in the Ecclesfield area like this, so what we are supplying in really nice home-made cakes and brownies and blondies is getting people coming in.

"It worked so well in Bradway that we thought we would give it a go here, and so far we have had a really good response.

"We make everything from scratch ourselves. Pauline, my mother-in-law, does all the baking, and my wife, Megan, also does a lot of the baking – and I am traditionally kitchen trained.”

The cafe offers homemade sandwiches, pies and cakes, and Andy has taken the successful S17 menu from Bradway and transposed it to the Green Lane Kitchen, even taking some loyal customers with him.

"I have had a couple of customers that used to come to S17 and drive all the way over from this side of Sheffield to get our food, so they’re pleased we have a new one two minutes own the road,” he said.

"Businesses and people round here have said they are really pleased that we have decided to open it again because it was shut eight years ago, and because it has been in Ecclesfield for around 30 years, and that it is still in the Harrod family.

"So, although we have just rebranded it, it is a second generation of Harrods that have relighted the fire in the shop.”

The building has history in the family, and the flat above the Green Lane Kitchen was the Harrod family home – so reopening the shop has reignited some fond memories.

“We have been telling stories of how my wife used to be strapped to Pauline’s back when she was catering and making buffets and stuff,” Andy added.

“So, yeah, it is two generations really.”

Visit www.greenlanekitchen.co.uk.