Sweet! New waffle and dessert restaurant set to open in Leek 

A Leek couple who used to run a popular Mexican restaurant are preparing to open a waffle and dessert venue in their hometown. 

Sarah and Jay Bateman have been in the catering trade for many years, having formerly being at the helm at Castros, in Cheddleton, and its sister venue Oceans, a coffee and waffle house on the same canal-side site. 

Now they are back with their own restaurant once again with Flo’s, on Stanley Street in Leek, set to open on Friday, 22 March. 

The venue, named after the couple’s dog, will serve waffles, pancakes, loaded ice cream cups and other desserts. It will also stock treats from Scrumbles Cake Shop based in nearby Brown Edge. 

A hot food and light bites menu featuring the likes of loaded nachos and fries will follow later. 

Sarah said they have tried to create a place that people of all ages can enjoy. 

She told Daily Focus: “Flo’s is somewhere for people to go and meet their friends or family when they don’t want to go to a bar. 

“It has that high-end bar environment feel but is suitable for all ages and all times of the day. 

“We have also put a lot of thought into our price range so everyone can have something to enjoy, whether that is a small treat or full indulgence.” 

Sarah and Jay are no strangers to starting up new businesses. After the closure of Castros and Oceans in March 2020 – a decision made before the Covid pandemic – they launched Waffles and Wine, a catering business which saw them attend events and private functions serving out of a horsebox. 

Sarah also runs her own energy company in Manchester and is involved with Smart Works Greater Manchester, a charity which helps unemployed women with clothing and coaching to get a job. 

Jay – who has been diagnosed with, treated for and had the all clear from testicular cancer since the last Waffles and Wine event at the end of 2021 – works as a personal trainer and will continue doing that alongside helping at Flo’s.

Sarah added: “Stepping away from Castros and Oceans was the right thing for us to do – we needed some time back for ourselves but didn’t want to walk away from hospitality completely so that’s why we had the horsebox. 

“We always thought we might return to having our own physical premises and this is ideal for us. Jay is from Leek, we love the town and there is a great community there. 

“It is not about just opening another business. We love creating new concepts and building a brand, but this is a real passion project – we want to bring the food we love to the local area and create something new for the people there. 

“The new space is very different to what we have had before. It is very vibrant and vivacious.” 

Flo’s will have created a handful of jobs once it opens and will also be staffed by Sarah, Jay and their two daughters. 

The opening hours will be 11am until 9pm Wednesday to Sunday, but these could change subject to customer feedback.