22-03-2025
Sandwich shop bounces back after devastating fire and Covid pandemic
A BRADFORD district sandwich shop which was hit by a devastating fire before the Covid pandemic struck has bounced back - and is now in the final of a Telegraph & Argus contest.
Readers were asked to share their favourite businesses for the T&A's Best Sandwich Bar 2025 competition, with the nominations then whittled down to 10.
Today it is time to shine a spotlight on one of the finalists - Hungry Monkey on Leeds Road, Shipley, which first opened 17 years ago.
Owner Angela Taylor said she was "thrilled" her shop had made it into the final - especially after enduring a number of major challenges in recent years.
She said: "The shop had a devastating fire in March 2019, which closed us down for six months.
"We fought to reopen, which we did in September 2019 - only to be closed down again almost a year to the day of the fire by Covid.
"Like many businesses, Covid hit us hard and overnight all my business delivery customers had gone due to many people working from home - a lot of these still do and the custom base never came back.
"So it was like we had to start from scratch for a second time.
"But almost six years from the date of the fire, we have been honoured with the news of making into the top 10 of the T&A's Best Sandwich Bar 2025 contest.
"I am absolutely thrilled and totally shocked by the news.
"I had no idea about it so the news came as a complete surprise."
Angela - who used to work in the personal care sector before embarking on a career change to open Hungry Monkey - thanked all her customers for their ongoing support over the years.
She added: "We have a fantastic relationship with our customers, many of whom have used us from the beginning.
"I've seen customers come in with children, some whom have now got children of their own.
"It really does feel like an extended family.
"The messages and offers of support I received from my customers following the fire was truly inspiring."
Don't miss out on your chance to shout up for your favourite sandwich shop.
All you need to do is fill out the voting form, which can be found in the T&A newspaper until March 29.
