HUNDREDS of people have taken to social media to share their happy memories of a much-loved fish and chip shop which is closing its doors after 50 years.

The Seafarer in Northwich – which opened in 1971 – will close next week on October 23.

It’s been people’s go-to fish and chip shop for years, even attracting people from further afield.

From George Best opening the businesses in 1971, to people spending quality time with family inside its walls, the restaurant and takeaway will be sadly missed.

Guardian reader Carolyn Prior described the Seafarer’s closure as the ‘end of an era’.

Commenting on Facebook, she said: “I chose to go there with my mum for a meal on the night before my wedding."

Many residents remembered seeing George Best on the takeaway’s opening day.

Karen Dickens said: “I got his autograph on the back of a Northwich Vic’s membership card - that’s the only thing my nan had in her purse.”

For Jill Booth, the Seafarer has been a focal point of family life: “Saturday lunches there shopping with my mum as a child, then shopping with my husband, then lunches as a treat after matches if my son had been playing football in the area.”

And the same can be said for Val Thompson, who also has family memories associated with the fish and chip shop.

She said: “I used to go here with my auntie, who sadly passed away in 2020 - always a lovely end to my visit with her.

“She would have been upset to see it close.

“Thank you for some happy memories!”

Meanwhile, Nigel Bailey described the Seafarer as one of Cheshire’s ‘best chippies’, a sentiment echoed by Andy Collister, who said he first ate there in 1977.

Also thinking back to the 1970s, Diane Atkinson said: “My friends and I used to go in on Saturday night, after a few drinks in the pub – those were the days.”

We even found a Guardian review of the Seafarer from 2008 which seems to perfectly sum up the business. 

It reads: "In the case of the Seafarer, the meal was excellent and the staff charming and friendly.

"There was an enormous cross section of society also enjoying this very British experience, from teenagers to pensioners, all chatting and tucking into their chips with gusto.

"I loved it and I suspect you would too."

Announcing its closure on social media on October 10, The Seafarer team said: “It is with much regret that the Seafarer Restaurant and Takeaway will cease trading.

“The final day of trading will be Sunday, October 23, 2022.

“The Seafarer opened in April 1971 and has been under the same the ownership since June 1975.

“It has been a pleasure to serve Northwich and the surrounding area for the last 50 years.

“May we take this opportunity to thank all our past and present customers for your loyal support.

“We would also like to thank our past and present staff for your commitment in creating a professional and fun environment over this time.

“We wish Northwich town and its community all the best for the future.”

READ MORE > SEAFARER ANNOUNCES IT IS CLOSING ITS DOORS