By Mengmeng Zhang
Newcastle’s city centre is home to a rich patchwork of cultures, where independent shops and restaurants are often run by people who once came here as migrants. These small businesses do more than serve food or provide services — they carry stories of heritage, resilience, and adaptation.
In this audio feature, we meet Haiqiu Kelly, who has managed Aiqing nail salon for more than two decades, and Danuwat Boocha, the owner of Pick Thai, a Thai street food stall in Grainger Market. Their reflections move between traditions kept at home, the everyday realities of working life, and the cultural exchanges that happen with local customers.
🎧 Listen below to hear how their voices capture the intersection of business and identity in Newcastle.