The rise and fall of The Chippy, and how it rose again
By Steve Sharp
Growing up in Yorkshire, it seems there was a chippy on every street corner. Teatime, after school was the busiest, followed by a surge at 10:30 when the pub hit the closing time bell.
Not so these days, as a decent chip shop and a local community pub are all a bit of a rarity. It used to be a cheap meal, but no longer, as the average price of a portion of fish and chips is now approaching £10.
There are, however, some brilliant exponents of the noble art of fish frying and there is a hotly contested competition, the National Fish and Chip Awards, to celebrate.
Image source: National Fish & Chip Awards
Nominated for 2023 Quality Award is the appropriately named Codfellas of Ipswich and in the Mobile category, Newmarket’s, Pimp My Fish!
Sad news last Monday, then, when two fine examples of the cuisine literally blew up on Southwold Harbour.
An electrical fire in one of them during the night led to a massive explosion as a combination of chip fat, gas bottles and beer barrels ripped through the establishments. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
The impact was so powerful that both premises suffered massive damage. Even though they are about 15 metres apart.
“Mrs T’s” was a total loss, and the “Sole Bay Fish Company” appeared to be close to it.
The latter did a roaring trade at outdoor tables, as well as an indoor restaurant and a wet fishmonger.
Astonishingly, by Saturday the Fishmonger was back up and running, and they hope that before the summer they will be serving outdoor food once more.
A testament to Great British ingenuity and determination.
A phoenix rising from the ashes, bearing fish and chips.
Well done chaps.
