About Youngs
Young's Seafood stands as Britain's leading seafood brand, supplying approximately 40% of all the fish eaten in the United Kingdom every year. Headquartered in Grimsby, England, the historic fishing port, Young's has been delivering quality seafood to British tables since 1805. Now owned by Sofina Foods, Young's offers an extensive range of frozen and chilled fish products from classic fish fingers and battered fillets to premium scampi and prawns that have made seafood accessible and delicious for generations. The Young's heritage stretches back over two centuries to 1805, when Elizabeth Martha began selling fish on the Greenwich quays beside the River Thames. In 1811, Martha married William Timothy Young, a member of a fishing family based on the Thames since the mid-18th century. This union combined fishing expertise with selling acumen, creating the foundation for what would become Britain's largest seafood company. Young's began as a whitebait business, later becoming famous for potted shrimp sold in distinctive blue pottery jars that became collector's items. The company was responsible for numerous British seafood firsts, including commercialising scampi in the UK from 1946 and marketing the very first frozen prawns. These innovations helped transform British eating habits, making previously restaurant-only seafood available in home kitchens. The modern Young's Seafood Ltd. was formed in 1999 through the merger of Young's and Bluecrest, creating a comprehensive seafood powerhouse. The acquisition of UK-based Findus operations from EQT AB in January 2006 boosted total sales to an estimated £1 billion, confirming Young's position as the leader in UK frozen fish, surpassing rivals including Birds Eye. The ownership journey has seen several transitions in recent years. Private equity groups Lion Capital, Bain Capital, and HPS Investment Partners acquired the business from CapVest in 2008 for £1.1 billion in a deal that included the Findus frozen foods brands. In 2015, Lion sold the European arm of Findus to Nomad Foods (owner of Birds Eye) for £500 million while retaining Young's UK operations. CapVest Partners reacquired Young's in 2019, and in 2022, Canadian company Sofina Foods became the current owner. The Young's product range encompasses the breadth of frozen and chilled seafood needs. Fish fingers remain a family favourite, providing convenient, child-friendly protein. Young's fish fingers use sustainably sourced fish in a crispy golden coating that satisfies fussy eaters. Various pack sizes suit different household needs from small packs for occasional meals to bulk options for families. Battered fish fillets deliver the chippy experience at home. Classic cod and haddock fillets in crispy beer batter recreate the fish and chip shop taste from the freezer. Lighter breaded options suit those seeking crispiness without heavy batter. These products pair perfectly with frozen chips for traditional British suppers. Scampi represents a Young's specialty dating back to their 1946 UK market introduction. Whole tail scampi provides premium quality for special occasions. Scampi bites offer convenient finger food. The distinctive taste and texture that Young's pioneered continues to define consumer expectations for this classic seafood product. Prawns span from everyday cooking ingredients to premium party centrepieces. Raw prawns suit stir-fries and curries. Cooked prawns provide ready-to-eat convenience. Prawn cocktail ingredients enable entertaining with ease. Premium king prawns deliver restaurant-quality dining at home. Fish fillets without coating suit consumers seeking versatile protein for varied recipes. Skinless, boneless fillets simplify healthy cooking. Species options include cod, haddock, salmon, and other sustainably sourced fish. These products enable consumers to enjoy fresh fish convenience without fishmonger visits. Fish pies and prepared seafood meals provide complete frozen meal solutions. Traditional fish pie with creamy mash topping delivers comfort food convenience. Seafood-based ready meals suit time-pressed consumers seeking quality without cooking effort. Sustainability has become central to Young's operations, with commitments to responsible sourcing and ocean stewardship. The MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification on many products provides assurance of sustainable fishing practices. Young's products are widely available across UK retailers. Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose stock comprehensive ranges in frozen food aisles. Convenience stores carry core products like fish fingers. Online grocery platforms provide home delivery. The brand's market leadership ensures excellent nationwide availability. When comparing Young's to competitors like Birds Eye and supermarket own-brands, Young's offers the widest seafood range and deepest heritage. Birds Eye (Nomad Foods) provides strong competition particularly in fish fingers. Own-brands offer budget alternatives. For trusted quality backed by over 200 years of British seafood expertise, Young's remains the leading choice. For UK consumers seeking quality frozen and chilled seafood from Britain's most trusted seafood company, Young's delivers the variety and reliability that has made it the nation's favourite for generations. Whether preparing quick fish fingers for children, elegant scampi for entertaining, or everyday prawns for stir-fries, Young's provides seafood solutions for every occasion. Using Grocefully to compare Young's prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on quality seafood.