One of Grimsby’s most popular bar-restaurants will close next week for an extensive refurbishment, which could cost up to £500,000. The Wheatsheaf, in Bargate, will close on Sunday and is scheduled to reopen on February 15. Love will still be in the air, even though romantic couples will not have Valentine’s Day at the much-loved venue, staff have said. A complete transformation of the pub is planned, with a brighter, more contemporary look. A refreshed bar, new soft furnishings and an expanded dining space are among the changes. READ MORE: The pub has updated its menu to include a wide range of new dishes, including slow-cooked rib of beef, shepherd’s pie, steaks, and roasts available every Sunday. Danielle Smith, the general manager, said: “We will be thrilled to welcome guests, both familiar faces and new friends, to experience our pub’s new look, whilst keeping the cosy feel of the Wheatsheaf, we all know and love.” Located near to the A16, the Wheatsheaf is a popular place for family and workplace reunions and for regulars to drink and relax after a long day exploring Grimsby’s attractions. The “Sheaf”, as it is often called locally, started on the opposite side of the road, with records dating back more then 250 years. The entrance to the first pub was made up of a pair of whalebones from the time when Grimsby had a whaling industry. It is believed that a watercolour drawing of the Wheatsheaf, which shows the gateway, is in the public library. An attempt, in 1938, to convert the pub into a 10-bedroom hotel was thrown out. However, in 1940 the application succeeded and Frederick Slaney, last licensee of the old “Wheat Sheaf”, moved across the road to establish The Wheatsheaf Hotel. Telegraph archives dating back to May 1940, describe it as a “first-class residential and commercial hotel in which modernity and comfort are among the predominant features”. The old Wheat Sheaf was beyond repair and was demolished in 1947. The 1980s saw the opening of DiMaggio’s restaurant, which remained until 1990. It served pizza, pasta, fillet steak, veal, chicken, calves liver and sole in a variety of sauces. In 1992, Sheila Dunnett became the first female licensee, before the hotel underwent a £500,000 refit for the Millennium. The Wheatsheaf offers a fixed-price food menu with three courses available for £11.49 from noon-5pm, Monday-Friday, and £14.49 after 5pm. For more information, or to make a booking at the new-look venue, visit the Wheatsheaf website. 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 .

A new study has shown that shoppers feel “abandoned” if they have to use self checkout machines. Research by Drexel University in the US found that without help from staff, shoppers felt that they were simply being abandoned to do everything themselves, reflecting badly on the store. For people with a large shop to do, having to use the automatic check-outs was an extra effort that left them feeling underwhelmed with the supermarket. Professor Dr Yanliu Huang, said: “Our findings indicate that self-checkout systems, despite their advantages in terms of speed, ease of use, and cost reduction, can result in lower customer loyalty compared to regular checkout systems, especially when the number of purchased items is relatively high, say over 15.” READ MORE: And it appears as though those in Grimsby and North Lincolnshire had plenty to say on the matter. Many people across our region felt as though it was simply not their jobs to do. One person said: “They should pay us wages and give us discount if we use self checkout because to me we are doing their job for them.” And another echoed: “If they pay me their hourly rate then I’ll happily use them when I shop.” However, some people did see the advantage and expressed their fondness for self checkouts. One person said: “Love them. Scan and shop. In and out if you hate food shopping! Home in no time.” And some people enjoyed the fact they had to have little interaction with other people. One person said: “I love them myself. I can do a whole shop without having to interact with anyone. Marvellous” Last year, the upmarket supermarket chain Booths announced that it was scrapping almost all its self-checkout machines and returning to fully staffed tills. The move was based on customer feedback and “what we feel is the right thing to do”, the company said. What are your thoughts on self-checkout machines? You can have your say in our poll below. Can’t see the poll? Click here.

We’ve teamed up with Iceland and The Food Warehouse with a fantastic offer! You can get one free Keelings product in-store in participating Iceland and Food Warehouse stores from Wednesday January 24 until close of stores on Sunday January 28, 2024. The Keelings range at Iceland and The Food Warehouse offers a wide range of fruit, vegetable, and salad items, providing fresh, great quality produce in the market at low prices. The range includes a wide variety of items, white potatoes, broccoli, easy peelers, cucumber, seedless grapes, sweet peppers, mushrooms, blueberries, apples and much more, starting from just 79p. To show you how good the Keelings range is, Iceland and the Food Warehouse invite you to try it for yourselves and pick up one free product from the Keelings range, there’s 67 to choose from. To receive your free Keelings product, simply present this voucher at the checkout. See terms and conditions for exclusions. You can also shop and save at Iceland and the Food Warehouse, with a huge £1 value range, Birds Eye 10 for £10, Greggs 4 for £10 plus exclusive brands and loads of exciting new products. Don’t miss your Grimsby Telegraph from Wednesday, January 24 until Saturday, January 27 2024 for your voucher. Terms and conditions apply – see voucher for details.

If you are a fan of fast food, chances are you probably make a beeline for those iconic golden arches when you are out and about. If you are lucky enough to have one of the mega-chain’s restaurants right on your doorstep, even better, when those hunger pangs kick in. But did you know some people live in a completely McDonald’s-free zone? With over 40,000 branches across the globe, McDonald’s is the world’s largest restaurant empire. In the UK, only 18 local authorities do not have a set of those trademark golden arches within their area, but this does mean just over one million people have to go over the boundary to access a Big Mac. READ MORE: Some places boast a bumper number of the burger branches. The London borough of Westminster has 15 McDonald’s outlets, which works out at 7.3 for every 100,000 residents, the highest ratio per person of any local authority in the UK. However, as central London is a magnet for tourists, it’s perhaps not surprising. So how does the northern Lincolnshire area fare when it comes to the amount of McDonald’s branches within reach of residents? Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire area is pretty high up the list, averaging 3.8 outlets per 100,000 people – placing it 13th of all local authority areas in the UK. You can see how our area compares to the rest of the country below: Of course, Louth residents were rubbing their hands in 2022 after finally seeing their first branch of McDonald’s open. The outlet was only the second McDonald’s restaurant to be built to a net carbon zero standard. Looking at the picture in North Lincolnshire, residents living in this patch have an average of 1.8 branches to satisfy their burger meal cravings. Fast-food lovers in East Lindsey have 0.7 outlets and West Lindsey residents fare only marginally better with just one branch per 100,000 people. Cannock Chase, in Staffordshire, has the second highest number of McDonald’s per 100,000 people, with five. Bolsover, in Derbyshire, also has five. Meanwhile, the largest authority area without a McDonald’s is Waverley in Surrey. It is followed by Bromsgrove (Worcestershire), Broxbourne (Hertfordshire), and Tewkesbury (Gloucestershire). The data is taken from the Food Standards Agency. You can get your fast food fix – opening hours vary – at various McDonald’s restaurants in the northern Lincolnshire area, including: Quay West Leisure Park, Birchin Way, Grimsby, DN31 2SG Victoria Street West, Grimsby, DN31 1DG Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7DG Meridian Point Retail Park, Cleethorpes, DN35 0AG Hilmore Road, Laceby, DN37 7SQ Gallagher Retail Park, Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8TD Lakeside Parkway, Scunthorpe, DN16 3UA (closed for renovations, due to reopen February 27, 2024) Fairfield Industrial Estate, Lincoln Way, Louth, LN11 0LS

Grimsby is getting a new hangout spot for people who prefer a more thrilling way to wind down with friends than a simple brew. Mission Classified, a prison-themed escape room axe throwing centre, has been getting done up in preparation of its soft opening on February 22 in Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby. Owner Rob Bishop has taken some photographs to give a sneak peek into what it will offer. Axe-throwing, karaoke booths and the bar are all situated on the ground floor. The adventure golf and escape room are upstairs. READ MORE: School names new hi-tech football pitch after much-loved teacher Pictures inside the escape room, “HMP Grim”, show a cell that teammates will have to escape using their puzzle-solving skills. It is recommended for ages 14 and over, although some younger children might be up for the challenge. There are loads of different activities on offer, making it the ideal place for a rainy day and a great spot for birthdays and dates. Here are 12 pictures inside.

Route also takes in the studio where the fastest-selling debut album in history was recorded From villages frozen in time to the studio where the fastest-selling debut album in history was recorded, this walk packs an awful lot into its six-mile length. It takes in a sturdy Victorian railway bridge, the stunning Claythorpe Water Mill, a delightful walled Victorian post box and an old dovecote. You can use an official guide book, but sometimes these can be vague and you often find it’s easier to follow the public footpath signs and maps provided en route. We parked up in the village of Aby, close to the village school and headed off on the clearly marked public footpath route which first takes you through a gated section of paddock with livestock (a bit weird walking through someone’s garden but it’s all official and clearly segregated). Switching to the edge of a farmer’s field the path cuts under an old Victorian bridge before a left turn takes you past the historic Claythorpe Water Mill, (which is worth a mini stop to simply admire). READ MORE: Seven winter walks to enjoy in Lincolnshire this new year The route then elevates slightly along the road before a public footpath sign diverts you through farmer’s fields as you emerge in the village of Belleau. Here you can see the Victorian post box and dovecote. More farmer’s fields snake you down a wooded alleyway and through another back garden (with a bench – perfect for a picnic stop) before walking along the river and on to South Thoresby. Here you can stop to look at the Church of St Andrew, while a little further down the road is Chapel Studios, where the Arctic Monkeys recorded their record-breaking debut album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’, back in 2005. From the village, there is a choice of two public footpaths which take you largely by road back to the village of Aby, where you can stop for a bite and a pint at The Railway Tavern, which serves a good selection of homemade food. (The pub has announced a short break at the beginning of the new year, but has promised to reopen soon – check the Facebook page for updates.)

A renowned Grimsby establishment which has lines of customers queuing out the door for its iconic hot meat buns has launched a new item on the menu – Yorkshire Pudding wraps. Situated on Clayton Walk in Freshney Place, Hot Bun on the Run was previously located at the entrance of Top Town Market for more than 20 years. Since moving to its new premises, the shop has been more popular than ever. While the business also offers a range of sweet treat offerings from Scartho’s Swales store, their most famous item is in the name – their hot meat buns. Customers can choose from turkey, beef, gammon or pork, with or without stuffing, with a variety of sauce options available. Like thousands of Grimsby shoppers, I’ve stopped by many times over the years and usually go for beef and horseradish or pork and mustard. READ MORE: Considering that the hot meat buns from Hot Bun on the Run being delicious is basically common knowledge in the town, I was eager to try one of their new Yorkshire Pudding wraps to see if they live up to the shop’s reputation. Heading in on a Friday afternoon, I opted for a Yorkshire Pudding wrap with beef and horseradish, and was asked whether I’d like veg, roast potatoes and gravy, and chose the latter two. To finish off with something sweet, I went for a classic custard tart. It was nearly the weekend, after all! Altogether, the price came to £5.90. Yorkshire Pudding wrap with beef, horseradish, gravy, roast potatoes and stuffing (Image: Grimsby Live) The first thing I noticed is that the Yorkshire pudding was a tad on the crispy side. I like mine with a fair bit of crisp, don’t get me wrong, but you can’t beat a nice, soft Yorkshire pud. But the fillings were delicious – the roast beef was perfectly tender, the horseradish packed a lovely punch, the gravy was thick and the roasties were the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The stuffing was unlike any I’ve ever tasted before. A bit on the salty side, but delicious nonetheless. The Yorkshire Pudding wrap filled me up so much that I was only able to eat half in one sitting (with the other half planned as a snack for later on, of course). My verdict: If you’re looking for an affordable lunch option that will fill you up for the rest of the day, a Yorkshire Pudding wrap from Hot Bun on the Run will do the job. I would’ve liked the wrap itself to have been a bit softer, but the fillings were absolutely delicious and I thought it was reasonably priced, considering how much you get. I’ll definitely be back!

Whether you’re on a January health kick or watching the pennies after Christmas, you’ll want to be sure that when you do allow yourself a little treat, it is well worth the wait. Grimsby and Cleethorpes have plenty of venues to enjoy a great dessert, but where is the very best? According to TripAdvisor, the number one venue to sweeten these dark days of winter is Lilly’s Tea Room in Yarborough Road, Keelby. Perhaps best known for scrumptious afternoon teas, family owned Lilly’s is also renowned for delicious cakes and even runs a “Pudding Club”. The venue serves breakfast, brunch and lunch and even has rooms. READ MORE: Lilly’s is currently closed until Wednesday January 17 due to family events, but a visit should be worth the wait, if the reviews on TripAdvisor are anything to go by. Hannah said: “Fantastic service and gorgeous cakes! Ordered two cake selection boxes for teachers’ gifts and they are stunning, and also got a cake selection for myself and family and the cakes are just divine!” Heather wrote: “We hired the private room for an afternoon hen party and it was perfect. The room was the perfect size for 14 of us to enjoy our food and a couple of games. Food was lovely and the slices of cakes were even better – especially the millionaire’s shortbread and Biscoff brownie.” We’d love to hear your favourite place to get dessert in North East Lincolnshire. Let us know by suggesting your favourite in our poll. Just be sure to give us the name of the establishment and where it can be found. We’ll tell our readers about the most popular. According to TripAdvisor, the top 10 venues to get dessert in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area are: Lily’s Tea Room, Keelby Four Candles, Louth Road, Holton le Clay Darracotte’s Coffee Shop & Ice Cream Parlour, North Prom, Cleethorpes Marples Cafe, Sea View Street, Cleethorpes Scoops, North Prom, Cleethorpes 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 .

The game has been running for 700 years, after a local Lady was particularly amused by farmers chasing her lost silk scarf

The biggest Megaslam event to date is set to entertain families in Grimsby. Dubbed the number-one live experience for family audiences, Megaslam Wrestling will present its huge 2024 Mega Event at the Grimsby Auditorium, on Saturday, January 13. Organisers say there will be a “mega” line-up of international stars in the two-hour show that promises “something for everyone”. A spokesperson said: “We have been bringing our event to Grimsby for many years and the venue is always completely packed out. The audience love it, so there was no hesitation in adding it to our huge 2024 live tour schedule. READ MORE: “We will be bringing our biggest ever line-up to Grimsby in a two-hour Mega-show that will have something for everyone.” You do not need to be a fan of wrestling to enjoy the Megaslam experience. “Megaslam is a no ordinary wrestling show. It is a complete family entertainment experience,” the spokesperson said. “Mean Machine” Massimo will be among the Megaslam Wrestling stars appearing in Grimsby (Image: megaslam.co.uk) Two teams will be facing off on the night as Team Nasty battle it out with Team Megaslam. The former will be captained by Megaslam champion Martin Kirby, alongside towering 6ft star from the Isle Of Ischia, “Mean Machine” Massimo, Millionaire grappler “The Sheikh” and direct from Wellington, New Zealand, “The Maori Warrior” NIWA. Fan favourites Team Megaslam will be captained by the ultra-popular “Derek”, who organisers say is the most popular character on its crew. “Derek is loved nationwide. “Everywhere we go fans have signs in the crowd. He’s not the biggest in stature so he is a true underdog and the fans love that.” Derek will be bringing a strong team with him including heavyweight “Action Man” Stixx, Scotland’s BT Gunn, popular Lancashire star Joey Hayes and leading female wrestler Miss Melissa Fierce. Matches will include 1 on 1 challenge, Tag Team spectacular and a special Main Event, to be announced on the evening. “We cannot wait to return to Grimsby, the crowds are always extremely vocal and this will be the biggest Megaslam event to date in the town,” the spokesperson said. Children will be invited to stay behind afterwards to get autographs and photos with the Team Megaslam stars. There will also be a pre-show performance by Doncaster singer, Beth Brookes. Doors open at 6.45pm and the event starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale now at megaslam.co.uk