Freshney Place is going all out to entertain families this summer by hosting a fabulous weekly programme of activities during the school holidays. The Freshney Place Summer Camp events will offer a diverse range of free entertainment for children, to help families make the most of their summer break from the classroom. Taking place each Saturday across the summer holidays, the Summer Camp will have a different type of activity each week to offer creativity and fun. After the successful completion of each activity, children will be rewarded with a special embroidered badge and sash. Today (Saturday, August 10) the circus rolled into town. READ MORE: Children have been given the chance to earn their circus badge by taking part in the circus workshop, learning how to aerial hoop, juggle and spin plates – all great skills to impress the family back at home. There’s more on the way over the coming weeks too. For enthusiastic science buffs, Saturday, August 17 will be dedicated to crazy experiments and youngsters will have chance to earn their science badge. Watch the mad scientists at work, take part in learning how to make slime, energy sticks, screaming balloons and instant snow. Chance for children to meet Freshney Dog, the mascot of Freshney Place, Grimsby (Image: freshneyplace.co.uk) On Saturday, August 24, an artist badge will be up for grabs in the fabulous art workshops. Exploring the works of some of the most famous artists such as Picasso and Andy Warhol, children can experiment with artistic styles such as collage, pop art and watercolour. Finally, to close the Summer Camp run, on Saturday, August 31, there will be a dance badge to earn while celebrating at the Summer Camp Party! Learn some new moves and then show them off by dancing to some great tunes played by the DJ. In addition to the Summer Camp activities there will also be free face painting every Saturday. Freshney Place’s much-loved summer trail will also give families chance to explore shop windows as they search for clues to complete their trail form – collect and return this to the event staff member near BB’s Cafe and receive a free treat for each one correctly completed. Visitors can also look out for Freshney Dog, the centre’s mascot, who will be making regular appearances, entertaining visitors with his playful antics. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Grimsby’s Viking re-enactment groups are inviting local community groups and organisations to join them in a thrilling town centre parade scheduled for this September. Grim’s Great Community Parade will march from Minster Square to Riverhead Square and it set to feature Grim and the Vikings leading local groups. Participants will be dressed as Vikings and carry banners showcasing their logos and colours in a special parade that everyone can watch and enjoy. James Nuttall, leader of Grimsby Viking group, Lindesige Saeweard, said: “The people of Grimsby are proud of our Viking heritage and the parade is a great chance to come together and celebrate with our friends and neighbours. Let’s keep the Viking spirit alive and march and shout about Grim and our town.” READ MORE: GRIM’s Great Community Parade is a celebration of Grim and Havelok who founded the town. The story inspired the town’s Viking festival, Grim Falfest, and a range of projects including a new podcast called A Town Of Vikings on Spotify, an exhibition at the Fishing Heritage Centre, videos on The Heritage Channel, a new Viking event at Freeman Street Market and restoration of the statue of Grim and Havelok. Jim Snee, founder of Lindissi CIC and organiser, said: “The Vikings were a strong community, proud and looking out for their friends and neighbours, the parade invites groups of all ages to come together and celebrate that heritage.” The parade, scheduled for Saturday, September 21, coincides with what would have been the third anniversary of the town’s Viking festival, Grim Falfest. The event, which won the esteemed National Outdoor Event Award in 2023, is still under discussion for its return. Julia Thompson, one of the organisers, said: “Grim Falfest helped spark interest in our Viking heritage as well as giving a much-needed boost to businesses as well as the community, it’s great to see that legacy continue. “September has become Viking time in the town, with events taking place at Freeman Street Market, at Grimsby in Bloom and in the town centre. The Vikings have a very busy month with a chance for everyone to visit and get involved.” Further details will be announced in the forthcoming weeks. To register a place in the parade and find out more, Grimsby groups are invited to email hello@havelokskingdom.com The event has received support from the town centre’s 2025 Group and CreateNEL, North East Lincolnshire Council’s creative fund.

With the sun finally making an appearance and school holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect time to explore what North East Lincolnshire has to offer. The Council’s tourism team at Discover North East Lincolnshire have put together a comprehensive list of activities and attractions across the region. From places to visit to events and activities this summer, there’s something for everyone. Read more: Grimsby Grimsby Fishing Heritage – Centre Take a step back in time and learn about life as a trawlerman at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre. After that, why not check out the Hometown Heroes exhibition or grab a slice of cake at the cafe! Kids Summer – Camp Taking place at Freshney Place Shopping Centre – Pop along on Saturdays for exciting workshops and activities, starting on Saturday, 27 July, and running throughout August. Each week offers a different activity and kids can earn a special badge. Whether it’s meeting and holding various animals to gain the Reptile Badge or joining in with circus skills and science fun, there’s plenty of excitement to be had. Take a walk in the park – For those seeking a simpler pleasure, why not visit one of the many beautiful parks in our area? In People’s Park, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake, feed the ducks or just relax on the grassed areas. Don’t forget to stop by the cafe, Coffee on the Park. Cleethorpes Aqua Disco – Fancy a swim? Head down to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre on Fridays from 6.30pm to 8pm and enjoy the Aqua Disco, where you can dance in the water. Alternatively, visit the Leisure Centre’s pool and aqua slide at your convenience, as it’s open daily. Heritage Trails – Explore the history of Ross Castle and delve into Cleethorpes’ past by embarking on a heritage trail using your smartphone and the free Love Exploring App. Catch a festival – If you’re after something more thrilling, grab a ticket to events like Meridian Rocks on Saturday, 31 August at The Meridian Showground. Spend a day indulging in food, drink and some of the best tribute bands around. Immingham Discover Tin Town – In 1906, hundreds of houses, shops, pubs and even a hospital were erected to accommodate the thousands of workers over the six years it took to build Immingham Dock. Only one building remains today, so make sure to visit the Tin Bungalow. The story of the Pilgrim Separatists – Learn about the Pilgrims who escaped England in 1608 and later sailed on the Mayflower ship to establish one of the first colonies in America. Walking the Pilgrim Trail in Immingham will reveal everything you need to know about this historic event. Start at Immingham Museum and check out their interactive exhibition before embarking on the short trail. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

It’s been a while since I’ve ate at the sports bar that adjoins one of my favourite restaurants in the area – The Coach House – so I thought I’d pop down and give the place a try. Formerly known as the Big Jax Bar & Grill, Dexter’s Bar & Grill is renowned for its appeal as a bustling sports bar with constant coverage of an array of sports, the displays of (pretty much) all the memorabilia under the sun, and a menu offering big and bold comfort food. Situated on Fieldhouse Road in Humberston, the restaurant has a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and is a great option for all occasions, whether it’s a special occasion, a date night or a quick, casual bite to eat. READ MORE: Keen to try somewhere we haven’t visited in a while, we decided to eat there one evening a couple of weeks ago. To start with, I ordered the Braised Chorizo in Red Wine & Honey, served with warm ciabatta bread (£8.95), and my other half went for the Prawn Cocktail, which was served in a whiskey laced Marie Rose sauce with smoked paprika, bread and butter (also £8.95). The Braised Chorizo in Red Wine & Honey starter (Image: Grimsby Live) The starters came within about 15 minutes, and we dug in. I would 100 percent order mine again because it was absolutely delicious – the chorizo was packed with smoky, rich and mouth-watering flavour and the sauce was tangy and moreish. There was loads of it, so the bread came in handy for dipping. For mains, I went for the Chicken Caprese Burger (£14.95), which was described on the menu as ‘basil pesto, Mozzarella, semi dried tomatoes, wild Rocket, Parmesan, chicken and Parma Ham crumb’. Basically, it sounded like a Chicken Parmo in a burger, which is why I ordered it. Because the dish is mainly served in takeaway shops in Teesside, I’m pretty sure there’s only one takeaway place in the area that serves Chicken Parmo’s (as far as I know), and I’ve ordered from there a lot more than I’d like to admit. They’re just so good. My partner has been won over by Parmo’s too, so we both ordered the same. I don’t know why, but I was expecting the actual chicken within the burger to be breaded – I think it’s because I saw the word “crumb” on the menu and so expected it to mean breadcrumbs. After a quick Google search, I’m pretty sure that ‘Parma Ham crumb’ is just crispy Parma Ham. Anyhow, I think I would’ve preferred the chicken in the burger to have been breaded – it’s so much like a Chicken Parmesan that it just felt a bit odd for it not have a coating. I’m fully aware that this is probably just me being fussy – because the burger itself was genuinely lovely, along with the generous portion of fries and coleslaw alongside it. The chicken breast itself was huge and covered in a thick slab of melted cheese, accompanied by a generous portion of Rocket and juicy tomatoes. I had to cut it in half to eat it because it was so big, and in typical me style, couldn’t finish it. I’m a massive fan of the menu at Dexter’s Bar & Grill and the entire atmosphere of the place, and will definitely be visiting another time in the future. The starter I had was without a doubt a 10/10, and my only fault with the burger is that I think it would work better if the chicken was breaded. But that’s just my opinion – I blame the Parmo addiction.

The annual International Market is back with a bang in Cleethorpes, serving up delicious cuisine from all over the world. Situated along the seafront on Lower Kingsway, the market also includes stalls offering arts and crafts, fashion, gifts, garden furniture, jewellery and a Dutch plant stall. Visitors can also enjoy a drink or two at the Box Bar. There is also no shortage whatsoever on the world foods available, from Dominician, Ecuadorian and Jamaican to Greek, Polish and Dutch, to name just a few. Joella’s Footlong Fries, which is based on Freeman Street Market, is also on hand to represent Grimsby at the event with their iconic and gigantic fries. Andy Pidgen, Operations Manager at Market Place Europe, said: ”We tour with our market across the length of the UK from Belfast to Falkirk, Nottingham to Torquay, Lincoln to Carlisle, but Cleethorpes is my home town so to stage such a big International Market here is a real treat. “With an amazing array of fantastic foods to sample and products from around the world including Pakistan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Poland, Zimbabwe, Greece, Ireland, Scotland, Morocco, Holland, Jamaica and China, there really is something for everyone at our International Market. “You can also sit in our Box Bar on the heart of the promenade and watch the world go by in the sunshine and served a fine selection of beers, soft drinks and cocktails.” The market has been so popular that it has now been extended to Sunday, August 11 from the original date of Sunday, August 4. Take a look at the photo gallery of the International Market below. All photographs by Donna Clifford.

In my opinion, the food at Nasturtium Bistro & Restaurant is without a doubt some of the best in North East Lincolnshire. When the eatery opened in Abbeygate back in 2022, I couldn’t fault the breakfast and brunch one bit. And when the evening menu was launched, I think I raved on about it for a good few weeks afterwards. The restaurant closed at its Grimsby location and moved to Kingsway in Cleethorpes back in May, so I was very happy to finally have the chance to pop down and see it for myself a couple of weeks back. READ MORE: The inside of the new Nasturtium is gorgeous, with modern and trendy décor and furnishings, a chilled atmosphere and plenty of space. The vibe is definitely very much “high-end bistro”, the type that is typically found in bigger cities. After all, when Nasturtium first opened, owner and chef Jack Phillips did say the aim was to bring “a slice of London” to Grimsby – and they’ve now done just that in both Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Nasturtium, on Kingsway in Cleethorpes, is a beautiful place to enjoy breakfast or brunch (Image: Grimsby Live) The daytime menu has plenty of choice, from traditional breakfast options with a fancy twist – like the Nasturtium Full Breakfast and Eggs Benedict – to more brunch-y options like the Prosciutto Sandwich and Lincolnshire Poacher Sandwich. My old favourite, the vegan Savoury Waffle – made up of soy and maple glazed mushrooms, wilted spinach and yoghurt and served on a chive waffle – is also still on the menu. But after much deliberation, I went for the Chorizo & Halloumi (£10.50), which was described on the menu as fried chorizo and halloumi with smoked paprika, spinach and poached egg on sourdough toast. I’d definitely order this again (Image: Grimsby Live) The presentation of the food at Nasturtium has always been absolutely phenomenal. It sounds a bit corny, but the dishes literally just look like a work of art – my Chorizo & Halloumi dish included. The elements of the dish were stacked on top of the sourdough toast, with the perfectly poached eggs on top, sprinkled with a generous helping of chive. Halloumi often has a bit of a rubbery texture, but the way it was fried gave it this lovely crispy outer texture, combined with a soft centre. Nasturtium is gorgeous inside (Image: Grimsby Live) The chorizo was packed with rich and smoky flavour that went together amazingly with the halloumi and poached eggs. I’ve never had chorizo on a breakfast dish before, but I think I may just incorporate it in future when I make my own. I could’ve eaten about three servings of this dish, if I’m honest – it was a delicious brunch option that was indulgent without being heavy, enjoyed in a beautiful setting with the backdrop of the sea. I absolutely love what Jack Phillips has brought to the food scene in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, and I can’t wait to try the options on the evening menu.

When you have worked your way through every role in a professional kitchen until you have reached head chef/MD, there is really nowhere else to go apart from launching your own restaurant. That is exactly what Gareth Bartram, former head chef of the Michelin-starred Winteringham Fields, has done. And he and his wife, Lucy, are excited for the future they are aiming to build at Restaurant Auction House, in Cornmarket, Louth. Gareth said: “We’ve been open just over two months and so far, so good. We’re doing lunches and dinners, Wednesday through to Saturday, providing snacks, small plates and tasting menus, and we’ve already received some great reviews.” READ MORE: The chef patron now of his own domain, Gareth said: “I had a great time at the Winteringham Fields and learned such a lot. I’d been there just under ten years and worked my way through the ranks up to being the MD for the past three years, looking after the whole place when Colin [McGurran, chef patron and owner] was away. The only next logical step was to go it alone.” Having grown up in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area, Gareth was keen to find premises locally that he could put his stamp on. While looking, without success, the former Louth auction house, which was latterly a café, came up. Intimate dining in Restaurant Auction House, Louth (Image: auctionhouserestaurant.co.uk) Being grade two-listed has meant the couple are restricted in what they can do to the place. The frontage has to be preserved and changes that are sensitive to the building’s history have taken place inside, with a new bar area created. “The changes are very much in keeping with the building and the feel of the place,” said Gareth. “It has got great character. “We have 24 seats so it’s really small. It’s intimate dining but it doesn’t feel like you are on top of one another. People start to talk among themselves and it’s a really nice atmosphere.” Restaurant Auction House specialises in snacks, small plates and taster menus (Image: auctionhouserestaurant.co.uk) Example of the food created by Gareth Bartram (Image: auctionhouserestaurant.co.uk) With Lucy front of house and Gareth cooking, the pair have “a great team” of about six people helping out. “Going forwards, we just want happy guests and a happy team,” he said. The plan is to continue with the Wednesday to Saturday opening, with the introduction of four-course Sunday lunches in the run-up to the Christmas period. “Guests walking away happy and wanting to return, that’s my main goal,” said Gareth. “Any future accolades will hopefully come. I’m not wishing for a Michelin star but I’m not going to turn my nose up if one does come along.” Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Poundstretcher stores in North East Lincolnshire will be putting on a three-day event offering the chance to win shopping vouchers every hour. The stores at Alexandra Retail Park, Grimsby, and Hewitts Circus, Cleethorpes, are under new ownership and are making “significant changes”, including “cutting prices and introducing loads of branded products at low prices”. To celebrate, the stores are holding a weekend event between Friday, August 2 and Sunday, August 4, with £10 shopping vouchers being given away every hour. Customers will be randomly selected using the in-store radio system. READ MORE: Andy Atkinson, Poundstretcher’s new CEO, said: “Under new ownership and new leadership Poundstretcher is changing fast. Whilst we’re just getting started, the feedback from customers on our price cuts and new brands has been great. “The continued cost of living crisis has been difficult for households up and down the country, so I’m pleased we’re helping our customers to save money, and I’m happy to see more and more of them shopping with us every week. To mark the start of this new journey, we’re giving away tens of thousands of pounds worth of vouchers across the country over one weekend.” Kerry and Steve, managers of the Cleethorpes and Grimsby stores, said: “The pace of change at Poundstretcher under new management has been terrific. Our teams are passionate about our business and it’s great that customers have been noticing the lower prices and new brands in our store. We’re excited to be celebrating this new chapter with a three-day chance to win shopping voucher event and look forward to welcoming more customers into our stores.” Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Poundstretcher was acquired by Fortress Investment Group in April, who also own Majestic Wine, Vagabond Wines, and the Punch Pubs Group. They say they are “listening carefully to customers and colleagues” and responding to their suggestions. Since April, there have been more than 800 permanent price cuts on a number of products including household and cleaning, DIY, health and beauty, storage and reading glasses. Hundreds of lines are now priced at 99p too, while more than 500 big brands are being introduced in every store from Coca Cola and Walkers crisps, to Radox, Surf and Pedigree. ‘Super deals’ on big brands are being promised every month too while there is a new customers events aisle featuring hundreds of deals on household favourites. A monthly leaflet will be produced to tell customers about price cuts and offers.

Roman shoppers have praised a £30 summer jacket that comes in 17 different colours and patterns, claiming it’s more lightweight and pleasant to wear than their usual denim staple. A denim jacket is a must-have for many fashion enthusiasts during the summer, and Roman’s Stretch Pocket Detail Jacket boasts similar features – a smart collar, patch pockets, and a button front. However, this version is crafted from Roman’s preferred bengaline fabric, offering a lighter feel that’s comfortable to wear, and it’s available in a variety of bold colours and prints. Read more: The Stretch Pocket Detail Jacket can be styled in numerous ways – paired with summer dresses, denim shorts, jeans or skirts. It has received rave reviews from Roman shoppers, who describe it as ‘so stretchy and comfortable’ and available in ‘lovely colours’. Several reviewers were so impressed with the jacket that they purchased it in multiple colours. Mandy commented: “I’ve purchased three already and love them! ” Another fan wrote: “This jacket is great – I have ten of them! Lovely colours, nice with a jumper or with a t-shirt but wish you did it in red.”, reports Birmingham Live. Jo added: “Gorgeous jacket. Love this jacket. I chose the pale blue as it would go with a lot in my wardrobe. It’s so stretchy and comfortable. Being large breasted I find it difficult to cover the area, but this works really well! “. Paula commented: “It is lighter-weight than the normal denim jackets. Also longer length than many. Lots of colours available but had to go online to get colour of choice.” The popular Roman jacket comes in 17 different colours and patterns (Image: Roman) Lisa echoed the enthusiasm stating: “Love the colour range and fit of these. This is my second. Much easier to wear than standard denim.” Alison shared her experience: “So comfortable. Ordered the orange colour and it is absolutely stunning, I think this has to be one of my favourite jackets as it is so comfortable and the fabric of the jacket is so soft and stretchy. I ordered my normal size on the high street and it fits perfectly.” But Ceri urged shoppers to size down, saying: “Great colour. Go a size smaller. Lovely bright orange colour. Lightweight material, slightly silky, not a denim feel. Need to take a size smaller as this was a fairly wide fit on me. Amazing, speedy processing and delivery.” For those keens on updating their wardrobe, the Stretch Pocket Detail Jacket comes in multiple hues, with prices ranging from £30 to £38, available at Roman. For an alternative, MandS offers a £39.50 Denim Jacket with added stretch, and Matalan features a Denim Jacket in three shades for £25. Join the FREE Grimsby Live WhatsApp Community Get all the latest stories, sent straight to your WhatsApp – all you need to do is click the link. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Half a cheesy pizza with a topping of choice served alongside a generous portion of chips and a tub of creamy coleslaw – many people would struggle to think of a better option when it comes to a takeaway. Pizza platters have long been a popular go-to meal on cheat day – and bizarrely, it turns out that Grimsby and Cleethorpes may be one of the only places in the UK to offer them. According to comments on a post to the Dull Men’s Club Facebook page, which boasts more than 970,000 followers, many people across the UK had, until now, “never heard” of a pizza platter. READ MORE: The original post reads: “The area I live in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, UK, every single takeaway pizza place does a thing called a pizza platter. Half a freshly made pizza, chips/fries and coleslaw. It costs the same price as a full pizza. “Apparently our area is the only place in the UK and in that regard, the world, to do them which I find strange as we have about 30 pizza takeaway places and every single one does them. Pizza platters are made up of half a pizza, chips and coleslaw (Image: Grimsby Live) “Can my fellow dull people confirm or deny the rumours that we’re the only place to make these beauties of the night for when you’ve had one too many.” Thousands of people flocked to the comments section in response – and it appears that Grimsby and Cleethorpes could be one of the only places in the UK to serve pizza platters. One person wrote: “I’m from Doncaster, but now live in Lancashire and I’ve never seen this. They do boxes where I live called munchy boxes, which are very similar but have some form of meat product instead of pizza.” “Newcastle now, Kent before that… never seen this. Pizza is almost always served on its own,” said another. Another person said they had “never seen” pizza platters in South Yorkshire, but “now wanted” one. One commenter said they were “super jel”. One woman claimed that her local takeaway shop in Wales serves pizza platters, but many Welsh people replied to say they had never heard of one. Whether the “rumours” are true that Grimsby and Cleethorpes is the only place in the world to serve pizza platters remains a mystery …