Terry Laybourne awarded Freedom of Newcastle for huge contribution to city's restaurant scene

Terry Laybourne, who will receive the Freedom of Newcastle
-Credit:Iain Buist / Newcastle Chronicle


Celebrated Newcastle chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne is to be awarded the city’s highest honour.

The renowned hospitality boss will be given the Freedom of Newcastle in recognition of his “huge contribution” to Tyneside’s gastronomic scene and economy. The Lemington-born chef was the first to bring a Michelin star to Newcastle, achieving the coveted prize within three years of opening 21 Queen Street in 1988 alongside wife Susan and brother Laurence.

As well as the since-rebranded 21, his portfolio of popular eateries also includes highly-regarded venues like the Broad Chare, St Vincent, and both the Saltwater Fish Company and Porterhouse Butcher and Grill in Fenwick’s Food Hall. My Laybourne, whose 21 Hospitality Group employs 186 people, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I’m truly flattered to receive the Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle.

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"I feel privileged to not only call Newcastle my home, but also to have spent so much of my career here in this incredible city. Hospitality is very much a team game and I'm extremely fortunate to have always been surrounded by such great people, this honour is the result of their endeavours too, not to mention our lovely customers who have supported and encouraged us along the way."

He joins other eminent locals like Sir Brendan Foster and Sir Bobby Robson in being awarded the highest civic honour that Newcastle City Council can bestow, as well as intentional figures including Nelson Mandela and Stevie Wonder. City councillors approved the award at a meeting on Wednesday night, where Liberal Democrat representative Karen Robinson said that Mr Laybourne’s influence on the hospitality sector in Newcastle “cannot be underestimated”.

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Colleague Wendy Taylor shared fond memories of early meals at 21 Queen Street and reflected on how Newcastle’s restaurant scene had been transformed over the decades. Coun Taylor added: “The changes in the hospitality sector since I first came to Newcastle in 1973 have been truly remarkable. Then it was difficult to find a good restaurant, now we are completely spoiled for choice. Terry has made a huge contribution to that change.”

Mr Laybourne received an MBE in 1999 for his contribution to the restaurant industry and tourism and he and his team have collected other awards including an Egon Ronay Star, Independent Restaurateur of the Year, and a gold Taste of North East England award.