Brotherly legacy lives on

From a single takeaway in Hebburn to an award-winning restaurant on the coast, the Dhillon brothers created a fish and chip business built on family, tradition and community. Today, Sheera continues their shared legacy in honour of his late brother, Suki

When brothers Sheera and Suki Dhillon lost their father at a young age, they had no choice but to stand on their own two feet. Taking a leap of faith, they left their hometown of Birmingham for the North East and, in 1996, took an even bigger risk by opening their first takeaway, Dhillon’s Fish Inn in Hebburn, Newcastle.

Over the past 26 years, they have built not only a strong partnership but also a thriving business. Today, the Dhillon brothers are well-known across the North East for their quality fish and chip shops and for their reputation as a family people enjoy doing business with.

Sadly, Sheera lost his brother and lifelong business partner, Suki, in May. “Suki was the best partner I could have asked for,” he says. “We worked shoulder to shoulder and made every decision together. He was a huge part of everyone’s lives, and his loss is felt not only by me but also by the industry and the local community.”

A standout achievement for the brothers was the opening of Fisherman’s Bay in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, their first full-service restaurant. “It let us be more creative,” says Sheera. “We expanded the menu to include pizzas and could target a new customer base – tourists at the coast. Despite that, we’ve always stuck to tradition, which is fish and chips.”

Fisherman’s Bay quickly gained industry recognition, being named in the Fry Top 10 Fish & Chip Restaurants in 2023 and placing in the Top 10 Fish & Chip Restaurants of the Year at The National Fish & Chip Awards in the same year.

Both brothers developed close relationships with the customers and suppliers they worked with, including their frying range manufacturer, Martyn Edwards Frank Ford (ME-FF). “ME-FF used to service the range in our very first shop and they always did such a great job. We got on so well with Dave and the team, so when it came to buying a frying range, we didn’t think to go anywhere else,” says Sheera. “We’ve never looked back. They’ve supplied over 10 ranges for us now, always either island or counter style.”

The Dhillons rely on ME-FF for performance and reliability and recent shops, including Krispies in Forest Hall and Chip & Fish in Longbenton, were also fitted with ME-FF frying ranges. “Their ranges are solid and built to last,” says Sheera. “With features like built-in filtration and high-efficiency burners, we save on gas and oil, and the food quality is fantastic: crispy, never oily.”

Though the loss of Suki is deeply felt, Sheera continues the legacy with the support of both families – both his and Suki’s sons are actively involved in the business. “We miss Suki a lot,” says Sheera. “But we’re carrying on. He loved the business, the staff and the customers – and they loved him. We’ve got great memories.”

Dave Atkinson, managing director of ME-FF, adds: “Suki was a humble and hardworking man who we were proud to work with for many years. His legacy will live on, and he’ll be missed by everyone in the trade and beyond.”