A Weymouth chippy will be opening its restaurant doors and serving free breakfasts in a bid to help those in fuel poverty keep warm this winter.
Fish ‘n’ Fritz is turning the heating on early and serving free tea and toast between 9am to 11am every Thursday from 24th November for those struggling with the cost of heating their homes.
The chippy is believed to be the first commercial premises to join local councils, charities, libraries, museums and NHS services providing free Warm Welcome Spaces in the Dorset Council area.
Warm Spaces or Warm banks, are safe places with the heating turned on, where people can go to get warm in the winter, when they cannot afford to heat their homes.
Owner of Fish ‘n’ Fritz, Paul Hay, explains: “We will be turning our heating on early every Thursday before we officially open, to provide a welcoming warm space for those who are struggling with the very stark choice between heating and eating this winter.”
Anyone struggling to keep the heating on can find their nearest free warm space on an interactive map, provided by the Warm Welcome Space Campaign.
Currently, just seven places are displayed on this map in the Weymouth and Portland area, and Fish ’n’ Fritz is set to be the first independent commercial premises to join those providing a warm haven in the area.
Local business Real Impression Renovations has stepped up to provide support towards the cost of running this Fish ‘n’ Fritz initiative.
Paul adds: “We may be the first commercial premises in the Dorset Council area to provide a warm space under the Warm Welcome Initiative, but with 68% of people in the South West fighting to make ends meet, we hope many more individuals and businesses will open their doors and bring communities together this winter. Just like Real Impression Renovations who will be joining forces with us to provide this Warm Welcome Space.”
Real Impression Renovations owner, Max Rayworth, says: “It is hard to hear the stories from the local people I meet every day, who are facing difficulties this winter. So, when I heard Fish ‘n’ Fritz were starting their Warm Space initiative, I was pleased to get involved with sponsorship.”
