Giggling Squid York restaurant to take over the UK’s oldest shop

Thai restaurant Giggling Squid is coming to York, and it will be taking over the UK’s oldest shop.

The popular Thai restaurant chain already has a restaurant in Harrogate, now it’s expanding its presence in the county with a second site in York.

It has been confirmed that Giggling Squid York will take over the former Banks’ Music Room shop, widely considered to be the oldest shop in Britain.

Tom Limbert, director of Central Retail, told York Press that the Thai restaurant chain had agreed to let the building in Lendal and that he understood that the firm was submitting a planning application to change the front of the building.

Prior to this, the site had housed Banks Music Room – thought to be the UK’s oldest retailer – for four decades.

The legendary music shop was originally opened by Thomas Haxby on 15 June 1756 in Blake Street, before moving to the building to Lendal in the 1980s.

However, now the site is set for a big change as Giggling Squid prepares to move in – presumably bringing its floor-to-ceiling floral displays and deep leather booths with it.

First opened in a fisherman’s cottage in Brighton under the name Mai Ped Ped Ped before rebranding, today Giggling Squid has 47 UK locations and has plans to open 3 more sites this year.

Known for its wide-ranging selection of Thai dishes, Giggling Squid York diners can expect to find the likes of Phuket Mussels in a red curry broth, Samui Singy Prawns, Betel Beef on sugar cane skewers, Salt and Pepper Squid, and Chicken Satay on the menu when the restaurant opens its doors.

The menu here is split into seven sections – starters, from the land, from the water, stir fry, curry, noodles and sides, and rice – and features some Thai staples including Paneang Curry, Pad Thai and Lamb Shank Massaman.

To find out more and view the full Giggling Squid menu, click here.

Featured image – Giggling Squid via Instagram

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