Preparations are underway for the traditional Good Friday fish and chips takeaway at Harbour View in Seaton Sluice.
The award-winning takeaway always has lengthy queues but on Good Friday their appreciative and patient loyal customers can wait for more than an hour to get served. To help pass the time, manager Waseem Mir always does his best to provide entertainment ranging from magicians to singers and balloon animal makers to face painters. This year however he is harking back to the age of sailing fishing vessels and sea shanties by bringing onboard a talented musician and singer from Amble.
Folk/ Pop Singer and Songwriter Laura Victoria performs traditional folk songs and inimitable originals, accompanied by her own gutsy cello playing. She is due to play the prestigious Lindisfarne Festival in the summer and has played Cambridge Folk Festival and Sidmouth Folk Week. Laura’s albums have been widely reviewed in the UK folk press and played on indie and local BBC radio. Her most recent album ‘Today’s Another Day’ was released in 2019.
Originally from Northumberland and recently returned to the North East, Laura studied Folk & Traditional Music at Newcastle University and works as a vocal coach and choir leader.
“I love singing traditional folk songs from Northumberland, especially if they’re about the sea because I love the Northumbrian coast. I am looking forward to putting these into context at the Good Friday appearance and entertaining everyone in the queue,” she said.
As well as organising the entertainment, Waseem is ordering around three times his normal quantity of prime Icelandic Cod and extra potatoes to meet the demand. To ensure the queues drop as quickly as possible each deep fryer will be allocated to takeaway meals meaning that the restaurant will be closed during the weekend.
“It’s going to be busy as usual this Good Friday, and I hope people enjoy Laura’s talent as well as our food. I’d also like to ask people coming by car to park considerately. We are open long hours and there will be enough fish and chips for everyone,” said Mr Mir.
Opening hours are: Good Friday and Easter Monday 11.30am to 8.30pm (Restaurant closed)
Saturday 11.30am to 9pm (takeaway)
Sunday closed
Ends
Photos: Queues at Harbour View (Highlights PR)
Laura Victoria in Performance (L Victoria)