The owner of the only Egyptian bar and restaurant in one Merseyside town has opened up about how it has helped him build relationships.
Fadi Thomas moved to Southport in 2013 and for four years his only friends were his wife's family. After spending years working in hospitality in Egypt, he found himself buying and selling properties in the seaside resort.
Despite the seemingly successful new career path, he was isolated and missed working in bars and restaurants, so he decided to open his own. RA opened its doors for the first time in 2017, taking the place of two empty units in the recently revitalised "Northern Quarter" of the town centre.
READ MORE: 'I'm more broken than before' admits mum after losing nine stone
He said: "I moved to the UK in 2013 and bought a house with my wife. I started building a career buying, refurbishing and selling houses but I didn't enjoy it. I wanted to introduce a different kind of hospitality where we really like to look after customers like no one else does.
"It's an Egyptian point of view. It's a high standard and high quality. Bring a little bit of our culture and tradition. When people go out in Egypt for just drinks, you have little plates.
"It was quite challenging at first and still is, to be honest. Trying to introduce this type of food was hard. Covid actually helped us in a way, people were having to order food to go out drinking so the small plates became quite popular. It meant we could introduce different types of food and nibbles for people.
"To me, it's not just about business. It's like meeting friends and the bar helped me get involved in Southport. When I first came here I didn't know anyone other than my wife and her brother. From 2013 to 2017 I didn't know anyone other than family.
"Since opening the bar it has helped me become involved with the community. When I go to places now I'm known as Mr RA Bar. I feel like I've given back to Southport as well.
"Before here, there was a shoe shop and a cafe. They were empty, there was nothing here except Lourdes Cafe and Peaky Blinders, with nothing between the two. It feels like after I opened it almost encouraged more business to come to this end of Lord Street."
RA has not long undergone refurbishment, with an updated design as well as menu being introduced by Fadi. As Fadi sat and spoke to the ECHO, people came in and out of the warm, dimly lit bar saying hello and goodbye to the owner.
He continued: "You would not understand it unless you moved to another country. You start doing this business but you don't enjoy it. If you met me before the bar you wouldn't know me properly. People now come here to see me, to have a drink with me.
"This bar is not just about making money, it's about being happy. The customers support me and they help me. It's lovely. I always believed that if you put the effort in you get rewarded. My reward is making friends for life."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Man who tried to pass himself off as a hero outed as a paedophile
Encro dealer 'Scarface Anfield' caught after saying his real name
Gino D'Acampo's Liverpool restaurant slapped with one star hygiene rating
Iceland fans praise 'tastiest ever' Slimming World meal
Share a Random Act of Kindness and celebrate Merseyside's warm heart
