It's been a busy year for Bexley business Bite Me Pockets which has brought a whole new flavour to the town centre.

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Owner and operator Fatima Ali said on the opening day of her takeaway shop on Forest Road almost one year ago she ran out of food in the first two hours.

Since then her mini pitta pockets and fresh salads have continued to prove popular with many return customers.

Bexley Chamber of Commerce president, Jeff Tullock describes the business as one of the success stories of Bexley.

It's a perfect example of the town centre building on its strength as an economical place for new businesses to 'give it a go'.

"Rents are affordable, there's reasonable council parking and there's high exposure to passing traffic," he said.

Opening Bite Me Pockets was a major change of direction for Fatima who previously had a career as a graphic designer for 25 years.

"This is my first business and I had no experience in hospitality but I haven't been sorry," she said.

"Food has always been part of the family. My father, Wahib had a takeaway falafel shop in Walz Street, Rockdale and before that a kebab shop in Kings Cross.

"We have had a love of food from the very beginning.

"I started this business as a little hobby in 2024. The local bakery had mini pittas and we decided to use them in our cooking. Then I started a catering business using the mini pitta pockets. I started it at home and decided to go all out and open a takeaway.

"I found this shop at 442 Forest Road. Bexley is growing and taking on a whole new direction."

The menu features savoury pockets, fresh salads, falafel, shawarma and kafta.

"Dad makes the marinades and my sisters help behind the scenes," Fatima said.

"Everything is made fresh daily. There's no pre-frozen food. We have a two-day turnaround so it is all very fresh.

"We would describe it as a poke bowl with a Middle Eastern twist," Fatima said.

"It's pretty much home cooking but in a takeaway shop.

"We are planning a big celebration for our first anniversary on May 30 with lots of free gifts to say thank you to our supporters," Fatima said.