I’ve done Scarborough to death! Or at least I thought I had. A few years ago we used to head over there every 3 – 4 weeks. It was crazy the amount of miles we were clocking up. Don’t get me wrong it’s a nice break from home. After all the weekend visit’s it started to feel very familiar. We got a routine going and we knew what to expect when we went.
We’d been told that Scarborough Market Hall had been refurbished and was worth a visit. SO, this was our first mission. Visit an old place that is new!
Scarborough Market Hall
After a £2.9 Million investment, the Scarborough Market Hall has had a major overhaul. Catherine was very excited and popping in to visit was top of our list. I can remember popping in years ago to grab some fresh tarragon (for a special recipe). The layout was similar to the Grainger Market to a certain extent. Aisles of market stalls (I vaguely recall). So I wasn’t that excited about going, until I arrived there.
The building has been given a new lease of life and it feels right. With an addition of a Mezzanine level the ground floor has been opened up and it nice an spacious. Most units are around the perimeter, which gives plenty of floor space for… anything it wishes. The day we were there a live guitarist was playing modern classics, a few table top stalls were out, selling cards, earrings and Christmas ornaments.
We toured the market looking at all the shops, which ranged from Soaps and scents, fruit and veg, photography, crafts, sweets, Radio Scarborough and a handmade glass and marble shop. If it wasn’t for the friendliness of the Geko Glass shop owner we would not have discovered The Seafood Social or that Geko Glass had Yorkshire’s only permanent marble run. Our kids were invited to watch as a marble was winched up a wooden column until it rolled out of a hole and along a copper wire roller coaster. It was mesmerising and a cool centre piece for the shop.
The Seafood Social
We’d walked passed The Seafood Social and were undecided about going. It was only after the previously mentioned conversation, that we wanted to give it a try. The Seafood Social is ethically good and the food is good!
As Catherine looked through the menu, I started to look at the other bits of paper / card on the table. I spotted the slogan on the back of a staff members top and it all started to come together. “Pay it Forward” or gift it forward.
The Meals are very reasonably priced and as a social enterprise has a focused mission of tackling issues of and that lead to homelessness. While also serving amazing seafood… at amazing prices too.
All the meals are priced at £4.00 or less, which meant that we had 4 meals and drinks for less than £20. It was an absolute bargain. As the offering is such a good deal, the idea is that you can “pay it forward” to buy a meal or drink for someone else who needs it.
Abigail chose Posh Fish Fingers and Chips.
All meals were served in a takeaway carton, but it felt much better than the usual cardboard tray you get from the chippy.
I can’t resist Scampi and Chips and if it’s on the menu, I always order it.
Catherine chose a seafood platter, which included prawns, salmon goujons, scampi and sliced squid.
The food took a while to arrive and we drank our coffees while waiting. Despite the lengthy wait I had a nice warm feeling about being here. It felt nice to be part of something that was helping a growing problem in the UK.
The food was delicious and the chips were chunky and light and fluffy. I was expecting a solid potato wedge, but they were so light and fluffy!! While dipping my scampi into the homemade tartar sauce, I spotted that the paper lining in the box said “Whitby Seafood”. Whitby Seafood is a local frozen fish retailer, that I’ve made signs for at Hooper Signs. The Seafood Social is a collaboration between Whitby Seafood and The Rainbow Centre, Scarborough.
We will definitely be back here on our next Scarborough trip. I sort of wish there was a Seafood Social in Newcastle too.
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