My North East: Matty Gray – chief executive of GIGCO

Where are you from?

I was born and bred in Ponteland, although I now live at the coast. Other than my three years at university, I have always lived in a North East postcode.

What’s your favourite thing about being from the North East?

The combination of urban and country. We have a world-class coastline, beautiful countryside and culturally vibrant cities. All within 30 minutes of one another.

What’s your favourite North East restaurant?

If it is a Sunday dinner, it’s my dining table, but if I’m going out with the family we love Little Lobo. Taco Tuesdays seven days a week for us.

Favourite local business?

As a member of the start-up community, I know tons of amazing businesses, but my heart belongs to Cafe Mountain, a menswear brand creating pieces perfect for the city or when in nature.

Best local event or festival in the region?

It’s not fair for me to have a favourite event or festival. In the last 18 months, we have had 10,000 events and festivals pass through our app. But as you asked nicely, A Stones Throw Festival is local to me at the coast and Ant, the promoter, is a diamond.

Best coffee spot in the North East?

I’m a coffee addict. The best coffee is the nearest coffee shop, but I have standards. None of your flavoured coffee milkshakes. My order is a double espresso, or two, and a good pastry. Tiny Tiny, Laneway, and Kith and Kin never let me down.

Best North East bar?

As my drinking days are behind me, my choices are now related to live music or “cultural” activity. I’m becoming a fan of a drink at the cinema, so Jam Jar, Tyneside, and Everyman get me on the peev.

Best place for a walk?

When I was a kid, we did Duke of Edinburgh. We walked the Cheviots. We always plotted Ewartly Shank on our walk, as we were lads and thought it was funny, like Armitage Shanks, the toilet makers. However, we never got there – once we got lost, and once the minibus that was taking us there crashed and rolled down a hill. I’d like someone to walk there on my behalf.

If you could describe the North East in three words, what would they be?

Three words to describe the North East? Well, I’ll cheat, I’ll pick one with two meanings. Canny – as in wise and sensible and canny as in, well, “canny”. My second word would be resilient and my last word would be guileless.

One place in the North East you recommend everyone visit at least once?

Hadrian’s Wall. Any off the forts or museums. I love the sign at Segedunum: Where Rome’s Great Frontier begins. That inspires me. A 2000-year connection from the Tyne to the Tiber.

Read our full interview with Matt and GIGCO founder Ben Kindlan here