There are few things more tempting than the smell of fish and chips. And it can be little co-incidence that rosy childhood memories of seaside holidays, Friday teatimes and late suppers are more than often associated with the savoury treat.
So the idea of owning your own fish and chip shop will probably seem like a similarly alluring prospect. Don’t fall into the nostalgia trap, though, this isn’t Last of the Summer Wine. The modern day takeaway has big competition so you need to put a lot in to get it right.
Get the winning formula, however, and you’ll soon be cashing in your chips.
In the past few years, there has been a pretender to the throne of Britain’s favourite takeaway, chicken tikka masala. However all traditionalists can now breathe a sigh of relief, fish and chips is firmly back on top according to a recent survey by the British Potato council.
But its place there isn’t down to traditional values. This market of independents has enjoyed leading the field for much of the first 100 years of its history. Gradually the customer has been faced with a large number of alternatives, from Chinese to burgers, Indian to pizza.
Increasingly fish shops can’t just open when they please and customers will vote against poor quality with their feet. This isn’t consistent throughout the industry, however, so a good business will have its own very high standards.
Broadly, it’s about brighter, spotlessly clean shops, well-trained and pleasant staff, good economic practices – and most importantly a flawless product. Vinegar soaked newspaper wrapping no longer meets customer expectations and when 70 to 80% of your business is repeat, this is very important.
And it’s important to make the most of the product you have. Arthur Parrington is the national training co-ordinator for the National Fish Friers Federation (NFFF):
“There have always been a lot of poor quality fish and chip shops but if a shop is clean and bright with the right attitude it will hold its own. Fish and chips shops hide their light under a bushel, the fact is this is a healthier meal than either Indian or Chinese takeaway.”
