Case Study
Alex founded Awesome Frank's after exiting from her first business Scream for Pizza following the birth of her first child, with the aim of creating an inclusive hub for families in the local community.
| Region/Nation | North East |
|---|---|
| Sector | Hospitality, Accommodation and Food Service Activities |
| Programme | Start Up Loans |
| Partner |
Alex Walker, founder of Newcastle-based Awesome Frank's, a gourmet sandwich and deli concept that opened in August 2025. The business’ name was inspired by her son’s love of superheroes.
Food entrepreneur Alex previously co-founded the popular Scream for Pizza in Newcastle.
After stepping away from the business in 2024 following the birth of her first child, she trained in breadmaking under celebrity baker Richard Bertinet at The Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School. These skills inspired her to launch Awesome Frank's, where customers can enjoy gourmet sandwiches and a selection of deli goods.
With the help of a £25,000 Start Up Loan delivered with support from the Business Enterprise Fund, Alex transformed a dilapidated metro station that had stood empty for seven years. The funding supported a complete redesign of the site, including a full electrical rewire, new plumbing, plastering, equipment and the installation of a pizza oven.
Alex also secured a further five-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, to complete the refurbishment. This allowed her to design a unique venue with a playful ‘Wes Anderson meets old telephones’ vibe.
Alex named the business after her son and was inspired by his love for superheroes. Looking ahead, she plans to add a family area and events space, transforming Awesome Frank's into a stylish food space and inclusive hub for local families and the wider community.
Starting a new business as a full-time mum hasn’t been easy, but it’s something I’ve built out of passion and to support my local community. The funding I received through the Start Up Loans programme helped make this possible, so I’m proud to become a Start Up Loans Ambassador this year and hope to inspire other entrepreneurs to take the leap.
Having started a business before, I found this time more challenging given today’s uncertain economic climate. However, this highlights just how vital programmes like Start Up Loans are in supporting growing entrepreneurs. Now that Awesome Frank's is open, I’m excited to build our customer base and develop it into a vibrant community hub for families across Newcastle.
- Alex Walker Founder of Awesome Frank's
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