Is it bad practice to call have the town in the business name when there are other similar businesses in the town?

[ros13]

I am taking over a chip shop in a town in Yorkshire. There are currently two other chippies in the town. I'm considering names and want to keep it simple with 'Townname Fish Bar' or 'Townname Chip Shop' etc, but will this cause offense to the other chippies as I wouldn't be the only one in the town? Am I best avoiding this and going down the route of 'Streetname Fish Bar' or a pun name instead?

 

[fisicx]

The local council may well object to you using the name of the town.

Keep it simple: Ros's Fish and Chips

 

[Mark T Jones]

Out of interest, why do you think it's important?

The reason/way people come to you might be part of the answer.

Personally, I alternate between 3 fish and chip shops - the choice largely geographical (I tend to pick them up after a long drive, so depends where I'm coming from) - i only know the name of one of them, which doesn't in any way influence my choice.

If I happen to recommend (or not), I do it by location, eg 'the one by the old cinema'.

Anyway, keep it simple, if it's likely to cause hassle, avoid

 

[Porky]

Totally agree with @Mark T Jones

In fact, the one i mainly go to not far from me (i have probably been every couple of weeks over the last 10 years) i have no idea what its called. Name is irrelevant. There are three in the road, if i had to describe it i would say "chip shop by.."

The other two chip shops i avoid due to quality, they get busy and don't cook the chips long enough so they never crisp, just soggy crap, batter on the cod just thick and nasty, i think they do it to make the fish look bigger. I have tried them a few times but gave up in the end and only use the one shop.

My advice would be that as you are taking over an existing shop, make it clear you are new management and try and do some promotion around that. Existing customers will still come (even if its to see if you are as good as previous owners) and you might win back lost clients (like me) that may try you again if they are sure you are not the previous people and looks like a better run shop/ better quality.

Good Luck

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I can't see an issue with using the name, but just check if the name has been protected with the IPO.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Would agree that name isn’t really relevant. Also why do you need to change it if the business is existing?

However I’m confused, do the 2 other chippies also have the town name in theirs? If they were “Newtown Fish Bar” and you open “Newtown Fish Shop” then yeah, I can see them being a bit unhappy. If they are “johns fish house” and “the corner chippy” then why would they care?

 

[Deleted member 339964]

The name is relevant (re those saying it isn't) because if people are searching online for their local chip shop they'll use the 'town name chip shop' potentially as a search phrase. You can rank 1 with a name like this as a result, in listings on business sites and so on.

However, with competition of just 2, it's hardly relevant.

Think of something the town is well-known for and perhaps incorporate that in the name to evoke a sense of nostalgia, local pride, and interest. Can perhaps add related artifacts, and artwork to the decor. Minimal of course for a chip shop.

Do weekly offers (two for price of 1), free peas, Fifty (%) off Friday's etc.. to gain new business and keep them interested but ultimately people will go to whoever has got the BEST fish and chips! Check the competition, taste their offerings and do better!

 

[xkaliburcookie]

if the other shops haven't claimed it, it's fair game. But if you're worried, a pun name or using the street name could give you some unique flair and set you apart from the rest.

 

[Shopclicks]

The name is relevant (re those saying it isn't) because if people are searching online for their local chip shop they'll use the 'town name chip shop' potentially as a search phrase. You can rank 1 with a name like this as a result, in listings on business sites and so on.

The search volume on 'town name chip shop' is miniscule compared to 'chip shop'. This is why it's important for locally focused businesses to optimise their Google Business Profile for their catchment area. This helps your position in the Local Pack. That's what it's designed to do.

If you did use the town name, then yes, you might appear at the top of that search. But nobody is using that search term. In my town the search volume for 'town name chip shop' is 0/m. The search volume for 'chip shop' is 60,500/m nationally. There are 4 chip shops in town.

You can also optimise a website to rank #1 for the term 'chip shop' but that will only show for people in or near that location. Which is fine if that's your catchment area. But it doesn't matter what the shop is called.