Kler’s Fish Bar: A Leadgate Family Tradition Built on Community and Resilience

• Kler’s Fish Bar has been part of Leadgate village life since 1991.
• The business was taken on by Balkar Singh and Surinder Kaur, continuing a much-loved local tradition.
• Their son Harvey grew up in Leadgate and chose to carry the family business forward.
• A major rebuild followed a devastating fire in 2018, supported by the local community.
• Kler’s remains a family-run chippy, rooted in tradition and local pride.

Kler’s Fish Bar has been part of village life since 1991, but its story goes back even further. Originally run by the much-loved Ronnie Morrison, the chippy was taken on by husband and wife team Balkar Singh and Surinder Kaur, who brought with them a passion for great food, hard work, and family values.

From day one, Leadgate welcomed them as one of its own. Their warmth, consistency, and traditional fish-and-chip fare quickly made Kler’s a community favourite.

Their son Harvinder (Harvey) grew up in the village, attending local schools and helping in the shop from the age of 14. After completing degrees at Sunderland University, he chose to stay in Leadgate and continue the family business.

Harvey refreshed the menu in 2007 and, following a devastating fire in 2018, led a full rebuild of the shop. The result is the modern, welcoming space customers know today — rebuilt with determination and huge community support.

Now, with Balkar and Surinder still involved and Harvey and his wife Harjit taking on a leading role, Kler’s Fish Bar remains a true family business — rooted in tradition, shaped by community, and proud to serve Leadgate, one portion at a time.

✍️ Communities in Focus | 📸 Photography by George Ledger

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