A fish and chip takeaway in Buckinghamshire has marked 15 years in business with a celebration attended by family, friends, customers and local dignitaries.
Gav Singh, owner of Oysters Fish & Chips in Marlow Bottom, hosted the drinks reception on 8th March to say thank you to those who have supported him since he opened the takeaway in 2009.
“It was a great day,” says Gav. “The current mayor came down and we had the ex-mayor, local councillors, members of the Chambers of Commerce, Mladin from T.Quality, our duct cleaning company Omega Hygiene, and of course friends, family and customers.
“We celebrated with a slice of cake, bubbles and the best fish and chips in Buckinghamshire!”
The takeaway, set within a small parade of shops, is run by a team of seven who fry on the same four pan range Gav installed 14 years ago. On the menu is the choice of cod, haddock and plaice, which customers can order in-person or via its app for click and collect to either take home or enjoy in a newly added dining space.
Gav comments: “Two months ago we took delivery of a container which has been turned into an eating area with tables and stalls for 16 people. We don’t charge any extra for customers to eat in, we simply want to increase the footfall in the area. We have a very limited car parking space but now the locals can simply walk here, take the dogs for a walk, take their kids for a walk, come for a bike ride – we’ve installed a bicycle rack as well – and sit down and enjoy their meal.
“Customers have really embraced it and we’ve had lots of positive comments. We’ve also undertaken a comprehensive renovation of our car park with an in and out entrance, new signage, we’ve put in line markers, created new spaces and put bin storage in place. So we have invested at a really difficult time when a lot of shops are unfortunately folding.”
Described by Gav as a “destination” shop, he says he has had to work hard to build and retain trade over the past 15 years, adding: “I’m very grateful to the people of Marlow Bottom who have supported us over our 15 years. We are small fish, there are some big boys out there – people who have inherited fish and chip shops or had it in their family for generations – and who are in a phenomenal position. That’s not the case for us, we have to work very hard for our customers because I would say 95% of my customers are regulars, we don’t have passing trade.”
Comparing the industry now to when he started, Gav says it is certainly more challenging which makes reaching this latest milestone all the more special. “The margins are a lot lower, but we are ticking over,” he says.
“We are really proud of what we do, we are a traditional fish and chip shop, we are fish and chips only, we don’t do kebabs, we don’t do pizzas, we simply rely on this trade and we try to do it to the best of our ability.”
