‘IF I don’t do it someone else will and I’ll regret it.’
That thought came into Rachel Brown’s mind when she set eyes upon a canalside building in the process of being developed.
Originally used to build barges, the characterful stone warehouse in Wharf Street, Brighouse, had been empty for 20 years when, in 2013, it was bought for development.
“It was derelict and I saw it being developed. The downstairs was earmarked for a restaurant and there was a sign that it was to let,” says Rachel, who had previously run her own cards and gifts business.
She took the plunge, signed the lease and set about transforming the space into a restaurant/bar.
“I had ideas in my head and knew I wanted a quirky look. I had a vision of a space where people could come and relax, with no TVs. I wanted people to talk to each other and feel comfortable. I wanted to bring something different to Brighouse.”
A year later, opened Jeremy’s at the Boathouse, naming the restaurant/bar after her late husband who sadly died from cancer two years previously.
“Everyone knew him as Jez - Jeremy was his Sunday name,” says Rachel, who grew up in Brighouse. “I bought some chairs at charity shops and had them all reupholstered in what we call Jeremy’s colours.”
Rachel’s children James, Emma and Lottie are very supportive. “James is a drummer in a band and he organises live music for me. We had a ban on our opening night, and I didn’t intend to continue with live music but it was so popular we decided to feature it every Friday night. We create a dance floor on a Friday too.
“We have acoustic music on Sunday afternoons and hope to have a DJ on Saturday nights. There is a tribute act once a month on a Saturday night.”
The varied menu features tapas - “that’s very popular” - burgers, sandwiches and mains including steak and chicken parmo.
“It’s mostly home-made, including the burgers,” says Rachel. Vegetarian and vegan options include roast veg and mozzarella melt and sweet potato falafel.
Drinks include ales from local breweries such as Saltaire and Salt Beer Factory.
“I try to keep it as local as possible,” says Rachel. Spanish lagers go well with tapas and cocktails are a big hit.
Jeremy’s has many regular customers. “It’s always nice to see new faces too. We are still getting people who live in Brighouse but have never been before and have just discovered us,” says Rachel, whose partner Derek helps out. “He’s in charge of maintenance and can turn his hand to anything. I have around 20 staff as well- they are a really good team.”
Some customers arrive via the Calder & Hebble Navigation. “Canal boats make day trips from Sowerby Bridge so people come on the barges.”
Rachel loves running the business where “I meet so many people and no two days are the same.”
She knows that Jeremy would be proud of what she has achieved. “He would be pleased that I named it after him,” she adds.
*Jeremy’s at the Boathouse, Wharf Street, Brighouse HD6 1PP
*jeremysattheboathouse.co.uk
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