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From wheels to meals as pair open up restaurant
The Journal
|October 04, 2025
ONE of the North East's best-loved coastal cafes in Northumberland has entered an exciting new chapter with new owners, Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes -better known as The Sidecar Guys - set themselves an epic challenge last year of breaking the world record for the longest ever journey by motorcycle and sidecar in reverse.
Matt and Reece with previous owners Duncan and Kate Lawrence
The pair reversed 107 miles, nonstop, on a Ural motorcycle and sidecar at Tranwell Airfield, Morpeth, and right into the Guinness World Record book, at the same time raising funds to open a destination cafe come “community hub for like-minded adventurers”.
The pair have now taken over the Drift Cafe in Cresswell, and are keen to build on the strong foundations already in place following the cafe's incredible success under former owners Duncan and Kate Lawrence.
"This is a dream come true for us," said Matt, who has been learning the ropes as they meet customers old and new.
This story is from the October 04, 2025 edition of The Journal.
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