Meet & Marrow in Darlington confirms its opening date

Meet & Marrow, run by childhood friends Nicola Patterson and Axel Tucker, will open on Duke Street on Monday, February 16.

The café was due to open at Firthmoor Community Centre last September but this never came to fruition after the duo decided the location was not right for their long-term plans.

In November 2025 they securing a new home on Duke Street.

Axel said getting the site ready to welcome customers has been a rollercoaster of emotions for him and Nicola, and said they cannot wait to open.

He said: “We are both excited, but we are beyond that now. It is about dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s, making sure we have not rushed anything.

“There is a massive anticipation in the town for our product to come out, so we are making sure we give ourselves that due diligence.”

And it’s the relationship between the childhood friends turned business partners which Axel says makes the experience even better.

The best thing I have done is get close to my best mate. When I am having a rubbish time, I feel like I am burdening Nicola, but when she is having a rubbish time, I know she feels the same like she’s burdening me.

“But that is because we are working in tandem, we do need each other.

“I am with my missus and she is with her partner and we are both on the phone to each other every day.

“It is nice to have a strong enough relationship in that we are friends and not business partners. That is the rewarding factor.”

Axel, who works offshore but is also a model, admitted the move and refurbishment of the building has been stressful at times.

Nicola Patterson and Axel Tucker outside Meet & Marrow on Duke Street, Darlington (Image: Stuart Boulton)

“If it was not for modelling, I feel I would have been screwed on my half because I would not have been able to uphold my end on this venture,” he said.

“Two weeks ago, before the last thing was on the wall, I was feeling a bit of pressure. Once that was done, the feeling went and I was quite emotional.

“When everyone left, I stayed at the café for more than two hours, and I just stood and cried.”

And Axel spoke of just how excited the pair are to open their doors and serve the first customer next Monday.

He said: “There is an element of nerves, but at the same time there is more excitement.

“People have been coming up to us both saying how much they are looking forward to coming down.

“My partner had seen the pictures and thought it looked nice, but she came in and it took her breath away. That is what it has been like for everyone.

“We cannot wait to open.”