New restaurant opening in Lancaster in the former Bar 1725
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Due to the success of their flagship restaurant in Settle, Rick and Kay Backhouse are opening a second Sydney’s restaurant in Lancaster, in the historic Market Square.
When Rick Backhouse admitted to his wife Kay that he’d arranged to view the desolate, empty Bar 175 during the darkest days of the pandemic, she simply asked: “Where?”
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Hide AdAs Rick described the rundown building in the heart of Lancaster Kay knew it instantly.


Kay and her terminally ill brother Syd had lunch there just months before he died.
Curiosity drew Kay to join Rick on a second viewing and that clinched the decision for her to “go for it” triggering a “mad, rollercoaster journey” finally reaching its climax in a few weeks with the opening of Sydney’s Lancaster.
Kay said: “We were just walking through all the mess and clutter, trying to visualise what might be possible, and right then I knew it was the place for us.”
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Hide AdIn May 2018, Kay and her brother Syd had an idea to open a restaurant in Settle where they grew up together Settle.
A restaurant that would not only offer incredible food and drink, but more importantly it would be a place of authenticity, combining a modern style with a vintage twist.
A place that would leave their customers feeling relaxed, connected, and full of love.
Syd unfortunately had suffered for many years with a rare form of cancer, which up until this point was seemingly under control.
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Hide AdIn October 2018, his health deteriorated rapidly and he was given just a few months to live.
His brother-in-law, Rick, immediately stepped in and made a promise to follow Syd’s dream through, in his name. Syd tragically passed way in February 2019.
Although he did not get to see the finished result, his name shines brightly at Sydney’s of Settle.
Kay smiles at the signs announcing the arrival of Sydney’s of Lancaster. “Syd would just love this place now,” she said.
Sydney’s of Lancaster is at 28, Market Street, Lancaster, tel: 01524 388672 and is expected to open in a few weeks.