24/06/2026
Afternoon everyone,
We have some big news here at SALT and I’m now able to officially let everyone know what is going on.
So, I’d like to announce that I (Ben) am leaving SALT with my last shift being the 11th July.
This may not mean much to many people but it’s me who developed SALT including the renovation which saw me mostly covered in dust to the operation which sees me mostly covered in oil. SALT has been my baby and every element about the shop is related to my decision-making which was never really supposed to be the case. I saw the building for sale back in 2021 and thought “hmm, that would make a cool chippy”, I then developed a plan to renovate the building and then create something that I could manage but never be the one behind the fryers despite having what is arguably the best training in the country (Thanks NFFF & David Miller). Most will know that it has mostly been me behind the fryers as well as doing everything else in the background.
Thankfully SALT is here to stay and I’m really happy to officially let you know that Graham Evans will now take over full operation. Graham is a Seascale resident and some might recognise him from being a wonderful chef in some high-profile venues across the county and country. Graham has all the skills and ideas that I never had as he’s worked in hospitality for a long time and understands the industry far better than I ever could. I’d like to wish Graham the very best of luck and I know that all our regulars and customers will have an amazing experience with Graham at the helm.
So, what am I going to do? Well, to dispell some rumours - the shop has NOT been sold, so I still have something to do with SALT, but this will be Graham’s independent operation. I now have some renovations to be getting on with which includes the property above SALT, my house and my workshop in Gosforth. I have (rather distantly) been running my bike, water and outdoor activity shop in Gosforth ( www.marrabikesandboards.com ) which I can now fully invest in which I’m super excited about with full opening later in July. I will be working in SALT up to and including the 11th July, so if you’d like to come and say hi or bye then that would be awesome.
Finally, and I really do mean finally, I’d like to say thank you to all those that have supported me with the shop. Particular mention to my Wife Amy, who must have felt like a single parent at times but has continued to support me at her own detriment. Thanks to my brilliant and funny kids who are quite sad about the situation but very much looking forward to having their Dad back. It certainly hasn’t always been easy, but it has been a pleasure to set up a business that has been appreciated and I have really enjoyed your kind words and support. I’d like to say a special thank you to the team (past and present) whilst I’ve been at SALT. I look at photos of what the building used to be and how it has transformed, I read about the awards we received, magazine articles, my features on the radio, celebrity visits and mentions by people in media, but none of them make me as proud as you guys (aka SALT Solid Crew)… without you guys, none of this could have been achieved. Thank you so so much and I know each and every one of you will thrive in life.
There maybe more posts between now and my departure but it will mostly be through Graham as he gets ready to take over. Those who have read my posts and enjoyed them (there are some I believe) please sign up to the Marra Bikes and Boards page as I’ll no doubt be chunnering away at some point, but I usually leave a post with some music. So, for the very last time….
Thanks again, Ben.
Nelly Furtado - Picture Perfect - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTh7k6UVA2k
