Bridlington isn’t shellfish in sharing its seafood celebrations

Europe’s ‘lobster capital’ is set to host a try-and-buy seafood experience as Bridlington celebrates its fishing heritage at a special one-day market in September.

The East Yorkshire harbour is the UK’s biggest shellfish port, and dubbed the lobster capital of Europe, with more than 80% of crabs and lobsters landed there ending up on the Continent.

While plans are underway to introduce a major annual Lobster Festival in the resort from next year, the seaside town is set for a seafood celebration at the Bridlington Bay Seafood Market on Saturday 4 September.

Featuring a wide range of local suppliers, the market will showcase local shellfish, seafood and produce including crab, lobster, locally sourced smoked fish, as well as locally made sauces, chutneys, beers, wines and spirits.

Local award-winning chef, Rob Green, will also be demonstrating Bridlington Bay seafood recipes throughout the day.

A free event – funded by the UK Government’s Welcome Back Fund, with the support of the European Regional Development Fund – the market will take place between 10am and 4pm at the Lifeboat Station on Spa Promenade in Bridlington.

With fishing boats lining the harbour, popular family friendly sand beaches, and traditional British seaside resort attractions, Bridlington is already a firm favourite with visitors.

But its fishing heritage, particularly as the country’s biggest shellfish port, and the hub for lobster, crabs and whelks fished along the Holderness coast, could soon be an added visitor attraction.

An annual Seafood Festival usually held in June each year, although cancelled last year because of the pandemic, has become more popular over recent years, and is now set to become the Bridlington Lobster Festival.

Although plans were postponed for this year, the aim is for the new-look festival to launch over a weekend in June 2022, with seafood trade stalls, cookery demonstrations, musical entertainment, street theatre, children’s activities and an evening entertainment programme.

Tourism chiefs are also looking at other potential opportunities to mark Bridlington’s maritime heritage, including new trails.

For event news and updates on East Yorkshire as a destination, see www.visiteastyorkshire.co.uk.