02 Oct 2023
Chris Evans, founder of Hatch, explains why they have moved to a new location and how customers can be reassured of the same atmosphere and offerings…
From humble beginnings as little more than a hatch takeaway in the corner of a shopping centre, Chris Evans is still keeping his feet on the ground as he prepares to open a new expansive diner in the heart of our city.
Founder and owner of Hatch, Chris began his restaurant career as a teenager in Lussmans back in 2003 where he says he learned a great deal from award-winning chef and restaurateur Andrei Lussman.
Recalling his early career under the influence of Andrei he refers to it as “a baptism of fire” with much “tough love”.
Realising how hard it was to work in the hospitality industry, Chris decided to put that energy into making his own success. And there is no denying that that is exactly what he has done.
He launched the business as a kiosk-style café in The Maltings, hence the name Hatch (not because of the trapdoor at Holywell Hill as one customer thought), in 2013. It moved to the Holywell Hill venue in 2017 and now is set for even bigger things at its exciting new Christopher Place location.
Feeling “anxious but excited”, Chris promises that the new venture will retain all of its charm – from customer service, through to menu and soft furnishings..
The cosy and welcoming new premises which was formerly Honest Burgers has been kitted out in the industrial-look Hatch style with wooden cladding on the walls, the same prints and silver tables made locally in Stevenage.
He explained that his vision has always been quality food and drink alongside excellent customer service at a fair price.
He said: “We want a place where your Gran can come and have her avocado on toast, Dad can have his steak, Mum can have her burger… it will be casual dining with something for everyone.”
He added: “We have loads of really great independents in the city, but it’s sometimes hard to get a table and people end up in the big chains as a compromise.
“We want to offer the same high quality food and choice that the chains can, but with that independent touch, in a more casual dining environment.
“Tables of one should feel really comfortable too.
“Eating out in the UK is becoming more of an every day thing like it is in other countries – not a special occasion, necessarily. Any occasion, not just a special occasion.”
And it seems that having more space, more seats, more fridges, more stock and more staff alongside being open seven days a week will mean Hatch can welcome more customers – and especially the ones who currently would be turned away at the door due to its popularity. Here people can drop in for just a coffee and work on their laptop.
The 37-year-old showed us his kitchen with all its shiny newness and great big oven. The Holywell Hill premises had a tiny kitchen area which involves a lot of juggling and bumping into each other, I would imagine.
Many of his team are local and can walk into work. They are all paid a standard wage, not an hourly rate, which ensures staff retention – happy staff make for happy diners, after all.
Popular with celebrities and sports players from CBeebies to the Lionesses and the Saracens, the menu features the same popular mix of brunch, waffles, toasted sandwiches, burgers, cocktails, coffees you’ve come to expect as well as pastries, brownies and cold drinks.
It has taken six weeks to kit out the new space, which is next to Wagamama and Darlish. Chris said Catherine Morris, the centre manager at Christopher Place, has been very supportive and even let them get in before the lease had been signed so that work could be carried out.
Talking to Chris, it is evident that his hard-working ethos, determination and passion have paid off and the brand has gone from strength to strength.
This is the next step for him and he feels a sense of hope and pride in being able to welcome more customers to the Hatch experience whether that is for “any or no occasion”.
Open Mondays, Tuesdays 9am-7pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays 9am-10pm, Sundays 9am-7pm.
