Tomahawk Steakhouse to open new fish and chip shop in Yarm

The popular chain - which currently runs its steak restaurant and bar from Fairfax Court - has put up new signs at 89 High Street teasing that the chippy will be coming soon. 

Bosses have secured the vintage name from the owner of 'Yarm Fisheries', which dates back to the 1970s, and even has the potential to bring back the vinegar from Cecil Wren, who owned the vinegar factory in Yarm which last operated in the early 1970s.

Tomahawk Steakhouse previously teased the fish and chip shop - asking Yarm residents if there was any demand for one (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Yarm Fisheries will have some "great new dishes along with the classics" - and Tomahawk has said that hopefully all fish will be sourced from local suppliers.

The venture will be located in the former Pollo takeaway, which Tomahawk itself launched in 2022 before it was taken over by artisan pizza firm Greedy Ted's, now based in Guisborough. 

It has remained vacant since Greedy Ted's left in 2023.

While an opening date has not yet been set, it is expected to launch in early 2025.

The future fish and chip shop in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It comes just months after Tomahawk bosses asked Facebook users about opening a new site in the town, following the closure of Barnacle's, which left the town without a chippy. 

At the time, they queried if the demand was still there - and they have seemingly decided that Yarm residents simply can't live without a takeout to pick up chips, battered cod, and heaps of scraps. 

The initial post on Facebook said: "Yarm residents we need your help…

"As you may know there is now no Fish & Chips on Yarm high street. We at Tomahawk want to know if the demand is still there for a good quality fish & chip shop?

"If it is, we could bring this fish and chip shop to the high street. Let us know in the comments."

It was met with widespread positivity, with one person saying: "Definitely still room for a chippy, would be lovely to walk by the river with!"

Another added: "Yes please! Tourists coming to our lovely town of Yarm don't always want pubs/bars or cafés no matter how nice, a traditional fish n chip shop would be great for everyone."

The news that Tomahawk has the potential to bring back the vinegar from Cecil Wren will no doubt be met with delight from those living in the town.

Cecil Wren established his vinegar brewery on the Durham bank of the Tees, to the west of the Yarm railway viaduct, in the former paper mill in 1904.

From the Durham bank of the Tees looking at Yarm's viaduct in the 1950s. The chimney in the foreground was part of Wren's Vinegar Brewery

There he brewed ale and then fermented it into vinegar until the factory closed decades later in 1971, before being cleared the following year.

In the meantime, those desperate to get their fish and chip fix signposted to the Tomahawk restaurant in the meantime, where they can sit in and eat the delicacy.

Tomahawk, which launched in Potto, is continuing to grow across the country, with locations now in Morpeth, Newcastle, Saltburn, York, Durham, and Middlesbrough. 

Since the closure of Barnacle's, the site has been renovated and taken over by Yarm Pizza. 

The pizza takeaway recently applied to Stockton Council to license the premises for late-night refreshments, from 11pm until 1am from Friday to Saturday. 

It also hopes to operate later opening times of 4pm until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.