The closing-down chip shops thread...

Nuneaton chippy that has served customers for more than three decades up for sale



A Nuneaton chippy that has served customers for more than three decades is hoping to net a new owner. Fry-days on Coleshill Road is up for sale.

The chippy, formerly known as Triple A chippy, has been a part of the community for more than 30 years and, according to Rightmove, has 'untapped potential' as it currently does offer delivery service. Its current owners have put it on the market for a leasehold price of £225,000.

"We believe that there is potential to increase trade by expanding upon the current opening times, by joining the online delivery portals such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber eats and by having an owner operator at the helm," the website states. "The business already enjoys a strong reputation within the local community and beyond and as such has a high level of regular and repeat trade along with many passers by."

The website add: "This is a superb opportunity to purchase a very well fitted business with untapped potential which is a great base to build upon and as such early viewing is highly recommended." Fry-days is currently overseen by the owner but operated daily by a team of three full-time and three part-time members of staff. Its turn-over is split 70 per cent on fish and chip trade, with the remaining from pizzas.

More details of its trade and other information can be found online here

Famed Nuneaton chippy serving customers for more than 120 years closes



A Famed Nuneaton chippy that has served customers for more than 120 years has closed. Yesterday (Saturday, March 16) Toppers in Stratford Street wrapped up its last fish and chips.

Generations have grown up with the chippy, which was first opened in 1912. But the family run eatery has now closed.

A post on its page on Facebook explained that the current owner, who has worked there for four decades, is retiring. But it hints that it could be re-opened - if a new owner is found.

"After 40 years Andrew, the owner of Toppers, has retired on reaching the age of 80 so the shop will close temporarily until a new and suitable owner can be found," the post reads. "Andrew and his family wish to thank all of Topper's customers and staff, past and present, for a wonderful journey."

Toppers has been one of the cornerstone businesses in the town centre, famed for having both a takeaway and also restaurant. People have been popping in for a cone of chips, or a sit-down fish and chip meal with a cuppa for years.

Thought to be one of the longest established fish and chip shops in the UK, it is on the market again. It was first up for sale in 2022, then was put back up for sale last year.

It's the opposite in Holland. New chip shops are opening all the time and there are now more per head of the population than there are in Britain!

And another one for sale...

Coventry fish and chip shop up for sale as owner retires



A well-established fish and chip shop takeaway in Coventry that also comes with three-bedroom accommodation above the shop is on the market. George's Fish Bar, located on Proffitt Avenue in Bell Green is on sale for £90,000.

George's Fish Bar has been established for 18 years and has been with the current owner since 2015. The three-bedroom accommodation above the shop is currently on sub-let for £400 per calendar month.

The current owner has continually invested in new equipment, along with fixtures and fittings, all bought and paid for and included in the sale price. The chippy has been put on sale so the owner can enjoy a 'well-deserved retirement'.

The listing states the shop is located within a 'highly visible and prominent' trading position, and is close to some retailers including a mini-mart, off-license, bookmakers, domestic appliances shop, barbers, and hairdressers. The area is also populated with residential properties, has good parking, and easy access to major A roads.

The takeaway has a 4.5-star rating on Google reviews, with many saying they offer 'great fish and chips' at 'reasonable prices'. Leo Delaney said: "Just moved to the area and heard a lot about this chippy, believe me when I say the food is top-notch, chips are second to none and the boss’s homemade chilli sauce on his kebabs, simply the best, love this place."

Rebecca Cooper added: "Friday night treat for the kids and they love it. The chicken and donor kebabs are fresh, tasty with lovely sauces and salad, chips are tasty and fresh and crispy, no soggy chips like all other chippies in the area."

The business is owner-operated and employs 2 full-time and 2 part-time staff members. They serve traditional fish and chips, along with southern fried chicken, burgers, wraps, pies, sausages, saveloys, kebabs, condiments, plus hot and cold drinks.

The current owner believes there is further potential to 'increase trade' by introducing pizzas, a more 'hands-on' owner-operator, doing deliveries and opening on Sundays. The business has a 'strong reputation' within the local community and receives high levels of regular and repeat trade, along with passers-by.

The leasehold is 20 years, with 18 years remaining, and reviewed every four years. The rent is £20,800 per year, with council tax at £1,080 per year and zero business rates. The fish and chip shop also has a weekly turnover of £4,500.

For more information about the sale of George's Fish Bar, visit the BusinessesForSale website.

Fish and chip shop closes after 123 years



The owners of a seaside fish and chip shop which is closing after 123 years have described their last day as "emotional".

Tony and Sharon Farrell took over the Dolphin Chippy in Fleetwood, Lancashire, 15 years ago.

Mr Farrell said they had decided to call it a day because of the "ever-increasing food and energy costs" and reduced footfall since the Covid pandemic.

"We've tried to sell for a few years but, with the current climate, no one wants to buy a fish and chip shop," he said.

Mr Farrell told BBC Radio Lancashire he had cried as he turned off the fryers for the last time at the chippy on Blakiston Street, which had been going since 1901.

He said their final customer had been a regular who he had nicknamed Captain Fishcakes.

"It seems fitting our last customer was one of [the first], if not our first, customers, Kris Butler, buying jumbo chips and gravy in honour of his grandad who introduced him to the Dolphin in 1998," he said.

The 45-year-old thanked his customers, staff and "the good people of Fleetwood", saying he had "made many friends over the years".

He said he had not wanted to be the one who ended the shop's 123-year run.

"But, if it isn't a viable business, what can you do?" he said.

Mr Farrell said he was determined the Dolphin would not be forgotten and asked customers to write their memories of the fish and chip shop and post them through the letterbox before New Year's Day.

He would then put them in a time capsule and hide it in a wall in the building with a letter "explaining the history of Fleetwood's oldest chippy", along with menus and newspaper cuttings, he said.

The reason this caught my attention is that the fish & chip business originated in Lancashire, a by-product of the cotton industry. Most of the frying equipment was made there (in Preston) and if they can't make a living what chance is there for anyone else?

Couple behind Coventry chip shop to leave on Christmas Eve and say 'impossible'



A much-loved Coventry chip shop will be closing on Christmas Eve. Zacharias and Fotoulla Georgiou from Aldermans Green Fish Bar will be serving the people of the city for the final time on Tuesday (December 24).

Zacharias and Fotoulla have helmed Aldermans Green Fish Bar for 11 years but said they will be leaving due to an 'impossible' dispute over the building. Customers have shared their sadness over the much-loved couple stepping away, with one saying they were 'absolutely gutted.'

Aldermans Green Fish Bar received a Good Food Award this year and has been awarded a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor. Zacharias and Fotoulla thanked people for their support over the years, which they say have been filled with 'excitement and success.'

In a joint statement shared on Facebook, Zacharias and Fotoulla said: “Unfortunately, Tuesday, December 24, will be our last day at Aldermans Green Fish Bar. It is due to our lease finishing and being unable to agree upon reasonable terms with the landlord, leaving us with no choice but to relinquish ownership of the shop.

“We would like to apologise for this sudden announcement and truly wish that we could stay for 11 more years, but with the given situation, it is impossible. We would like to thank you all for the wonderful memories that we have shared over the years.”

Zacharias and Fotoulla continued: “We have had 11 amazing years full of excitement and success, having won the Good Food Award six years in a row. Of course, we could not have succeeded as much as we did without all of you over these 11 wonderful years.

“All of our achievements and successes, such as the consistent Good Food Awards, are thanks to all of you. You are all the best customers in the entirety of the UK and have all given us so much.

“No one can describe how grateful we are and how honoured we feel towards all of you. We consider all of our customers and staff to be like our family, and it feels like it was just yesterday that we moved into this cosy neighbourhood and got the opportunity to meet you all. We would like to thank you all for your continued support and wish all of you the best for the future.”

This is a real shame. It's a good chippie and one that I've had many a very good meal from.

'Established' Exhall chippy put on the market



An 'established' chippy in Exhall has been put on the market with 'viewing advised'. Exhall Fish and Chips has been listed as the feature property on the On the market website.

The Trelawney Road take-away is available for £460,000 freehold. On the listing it explains that it is an 'established fish and chip shop' in the area.

It also explains that it has been renovated with new flooring, re-plastered walls. "There is also a new rear preparation area with new potato peeler, new drainage and stainless steel cladding," the listing states.

As well as the main shop, there is also forecourt parking with an enclosed rear garden and a brick built garage. There is a two bedroom apartment above the chip shop itself which has a lounge, kitchen and bathroom.

The listing states 'Viewing recommended'. For further details visit the website here