Quality Fish and Chip Shop Nrth Devon - thoughts?

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L

ladyofoverton

  • #1
    Hi there

    Myself and hubby are seriously considering a life style change and opening a smart fish and chop shop on the Nrth Devon Coast. We don't want it to be the usual grubby looking "Codfathers" type of place or somewhere so exclusive that people would deem it to expensive. But somewhere fairly funky with a good quality product and ethically sourced fish. My first question is, do you think it is a good idea and where would you say is best to capture the tourist trade as well as giving us a steady income throughout the rest of the year.

    Also, having never done this kind of thing before (always been employed by someone) is doing this going to physically kill me (husband has sone health problems which would mean I may end up doing it myslef with one p/t member of staff) and is working for yourself really all it's cracked up to be??

    Any thoughts, advice or help would be very gratefully received
     
    L

    LeeDJC

    Free Member
    Mar 4, 2008
    61
    6
  • #4
    My parents have owned a fish and chip shop in Cornwall for the last 46 years. I would go in with your eyes wide open.

    Don't forget that most of your trade will be in the summer months. You need to think if your business structure/model will attract the locals during the winter? If not, will it do well enough during the summer to carry you through the quieter months?

    People stereotype fish and chip shops, and have a certain expectation. If you sway too far from this, it may not work as well as you think...perhaps? I think that you'd need to do a fair amount of market research.

    I've grown up in the trade and worked for my parents for many many years, and I'm not sure that people are too concerned where the fish comes from. Just that it tastes good and doesn't cost too much!

    Hope this helps a little and good luck!
     
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    J

    Jon123

    Free Member
    Jan 28, 2006
    204
    10
  • #5
    LeeDJC said:
    My parents have owned a fish and chip shop in Cornwall for the last 46 years. I would go in with your eyes wide open.

    Don't forget that most of your trade will be in the summer months. You need to think if your business structure/model will attract the locals during the winter? If not, will it do well enough during the summer to carry you through the quieter months?

    People stereotype fish and chip shops, and have a certain expectation. If you sway too far from this, it may not work as well as you think...perhaps? I think that you'd need to do a fair amount of market research.

    I've grown up in the trade and worked for my parents for many many years, and I'm not sure that people are too concerned where the fish comes from. Just that it tastes good and doesn't cost too much!

    Hope this helps a little and good luck!
    Click to expand...

    Out of interest which fish and chip shop do they own in cornwall?

    Jonny
     
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    sandralewis

    sandralewis

    Free Member
    Mar 16, 2009
    15
    2
  • #7
    Sounds like a fun idea!! Go for it!! I have the best fish and chip shop where I stay on the coast in Scotland and I have some advice for yours'.

    Lightly batter the fish
    Make homemade, hand-cut potatoes for the chips
    Add tartar sauce and lemon into the box with every order

    DELICIOUS!!
     
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    L

    ladyofoverton

  • #8
    Hey everyone, thanks so much for your comments. It's a big change for us and I want to start looking at locations - as your right, it needs to be busy in Summer but consistent in Winter. We've worked out that we need to make a wage of around £30k from it opening around 40 hours, more in summer - is this realistic (honestly I have no idea how much a small shop would take in profit) I would hope that I would be going in with my eyes wide open, I like to research to death and know what my costs/risks would be before commiting

    Squires is a really nice place, it is the kind of thing I was thinking of but just a takeaway and not restaurant at the moment.

    One more thing, is working for yourself really all it's cracked up to be - what are all your thoughts on this?
     
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    Postforce

    Postforce

    Free Member
    Feb 13, 2009
    290
    51
    New Forest
  • #9
    I've been to Squires loads of times - its a great business model and famous in the area - rather than 'just a chippie' (I know people who drive 12 miles to go there- past other chippies). I've got a friend who runs a Fish and Chip shop - he took two years out and put a manager in - and there was still enough profit for them both! - so theres got to be dosh in it if you do it right - but a lot of it will be about location. Obvious thing will be near bars, pubs etc. Upside - cash business Downside - dealing with Joe public (often in a pissed state).
     
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    M

    marley

  • #10
    In my group we have some fish and chip shops, if your interested let me know.

    There is a specific place where you can get real information, I could probably point you the right way in respect to product and suppliers.

    You will need to consider if you will buy an existing fish and chip shop, an empty shop, rent, lease or freehold.

    Squires is a completely different set up from the one you envisage, you mention about you and 1 employee doing the work, that is a lot of work as there is alot to do in a fish and chip shop.

    Stelios
     
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    D

    Deleted member 27080

  • #11
    Having had no experience we took over a cafe 2 years ago. Being self employed is hard work but rewarding esp only being answerable to yourselves. You will however need to have some money behind you to start with to live on until you start to make enough to be able to draw a wage! We are seasonal and so need to make enough money in the summer to live on during the winter. By this time of year in the few month before the season starts it is quite hard for us. We know the money is coming in soon but not yet! BTW are you in Overton, Hants? This was where we were before moving to Dorset.
     
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    i234i

    i234i

    Free Member
    Jul 17, 2007
    2,252
    239
  • #12
    You should check out "Equis" in Scotland.

    They are a fancier than your average chippy - The restaurants are done nice and warm like any city centre eatery but based in Lanarkshire area... Hamilton has been there for around 50 years+ and Halfway, Cambuslang opened a few years back.

    They do Chippy food and Ice cream (which they are famous for!) - The ice cream is all made in the back of Hamilton restaurant and is now sold over many large retailers in Scotland including Asda and Tesco. They are great, lovely rich homemade flavours!

    http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk...uis-have-credit-crunch-licked-51525-21393384/

    Good luck!
     
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    M

    Mark Pocock

  • #18
    We used to have a fantastic chippy in Stratton.
    He used to buy his fish from Hull...

    However he sold a few years ago. And there
    isn't a good one around here that we know of.

    If you provide great fish and chips you'll
    do well. People will travel for a good one.

    However.

    Make sure of this.

    Capture the contact details of everyone who
    buys from you. So you can contact them.

    The fortune will be in your list.

    Dear 'ol Rick Stein is charging £16 I believe
    for fish and chips....in Padstow....

    cheers

    mark
     
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    L

    ladyofoverton

  • #19
    Hi mark - Hey thanks for your message, in fact thank you to everyone who has posted. I need to start looking for premises and I keep wavering between quality fish and chips and a quality cafe. One is constant trade and once up and running you could employ someone who doesn't need to have a massive skill level to run it on a day to day basis. The other would be more interesting and varied although I would think more of a tie as it could end up being completely supportive on my cooking and front of house.

    £16 for fish and chips, that's just nuts!!!!
     
    Upvote 0
    M

    marley

  • #20
    ladyofoverton said:
    Hi mark - Hey thanks for your message, in fact thank you to everyone who has posted. I need to start looking for premises and I keep wavering between quality fish and chips and a quality cafe. One is constant trade and once up and running you could employ someone who doesn't need to have a massive skill level to run it on a day to day basis. The other would be more interesting and varied although I would think more of a tie as it could end up being completely supportive on my cooking and front of house.

    £16 for fish and chips, that's just nuts!!!!
    Click to expand...

    Which job doesnt require a skill level?

    The outlay could cost anything from 30k to 400k to set up a fish and chip shop and sometimes without the property in mind, training is a must in this job also.

    You need to clearly define what type of operator you will be, most of these shops above like Squires, Steins etc, are teams of chefs, and seasonal workers (in steins case), the other is a hands on small team which serves a local area.

    There is alot to consider when taking on a challenge like this, a fish and chip shop believe it or not is run like any other business, it needs a good reputation, and the food needs to be good, also their is the red tape to conisder!!

    I have sent you a private message.

    S
     
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    P

    phoog

    Free Member
    Jul 23, 2006
    147
    6
    North Devon
  • #21
    Squires is my local as I live in Georgeham, the guys that ran southstreet (the one round the corner from squires) are doing a moblie van, which always seems busy, I work in Ilfracombe most days and without exception every chippie is useless (you'd have to be very well armed to persuade me to eat in the one in the high st again ;) I'd be looking there if it were me (lots of cheap/empty property as well !)
     
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    B

    Beachcomber

  • #22
    If you are looking at opening in North Devon have a chat with the local council - many new businesses can get up to 50% rate relief as it is considered a 'regeneration' area and new business is encouraged.

    Location is key - as phoog said - Ilfracombe has 3 chippies I can think of, all useless. Trade is mainly seasonal but this area does have a long season benifiting from the cut price market which sees tourists in the area from late march to early november. Local trade should provide a good turnover outside of these times or like many businesses in the area, you could just close up for a month or 2 and sit on the beach!

    I do know there is a cafe / coffee shop up for sale in the High Street, might be worth a look (11 / 12 High street Ilfracombe - It's on Rightmove.com)

    If you need any more local info do send me a PM and I'd be happy to help out if I can.
     
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    S

    Steve_gts

  • #23
    is working for yourself really all it's cracked up to be??
    Click to expand...

    That depends on how well the business is doing, and if you have reliable staff to support you. We sell software and to be honest the last couple of years have been fairly easy, but this year it's getting tough, so we are putting in more hours.

    You also need to consider holidays, you probably won't be able to take them for a while (till you have some good reliable staff), and probably won't really want to leave the business for more than a day at a time.

    On the plus side, the commute will be good if you have accommodation above (although if you live above a chippy, I expect you will have problems switching off from it as the small would always be there.
     
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    R

    Rainbow Chasers'

    Free Member
    Nov 20, 2008
    438
    88
  • #24
    There is one on the atlantic highway and it always amazes me how it makes a living, as it is in the middle of nowhere! Nearest town is a good 30 mins drive - but it is always heaving!!

    Goes to show - i suppose if you looked into it, taking all the small villages and hamlets around it is quite handy!
     
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    OLPS

    OLPS

    Free Member
    Oct 31, 2008
    97
    7
  • #25
    ladyofoverton said:
    Hi there

    Myself and hubby are seriously considering a life style change and opening a smart fish and chop shop on the Nrth Devon Coast. We don't want it to be the usual grubby looking "Codfathers" type of place or somewhere so exclusive that people would deem it to expensive. But somewhere fairly funky with a good quality product and ethically sourced fish. My first question is, do you think it is a good idea and where would you say is best to capture the tourist trade as well as giving us a steady income throughout the rest of the year.

    Also, having never done this kind of thing before (always been employed by someone) is doing this going to physically kill me (husband has sone health problems which would mean I may end up doing it myslef with one p/t member of staff) and is working for yourself really all it's cracked up to be??

    Any thoughts, advice or help would be very gratefully received
    Click to expand...

    Go for it!!
     
    Upvote 0
    A

    Alfs Ads

  • #26
    you can't beat top quality fish and chips, top quality means you can charge higher prices.

    speak in the chippy-chat.co.uk forum. these boys are experts, they will coach you through the process.

    if you need any potato peelers, potato chippers fryer rangers visit alfsads.com.

    the Federation of fish fryers do courses which will help you federationoffishfriers.co.uk

    secondhand reconditioned preloved used equipment at alfs ads
     
    Upvote 0
    D

    Deleted member 61074

  • #29
    Sylvesters in Appledore too... small takeaway only, 20 secs to walk from it to sit on a bench overlooking the water... in a tourist area you've got to get a good rep to get the locals to support you over the winter months.

    I lived in Westward Ho! last year, we would travel to Appledore rather than use the local chippie in the Ho!
     
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    S

    sireedisson

  • #30
    I know this is an old thread but I must say I had the best fish and chips ever on my visit to north devon around 3 weeks ago. It is not a seaside place, but is in a small village called Bampton, around 35 mins from Tauton. The service was great, and fish really did melt in your mouth. It cost 7.56 each but was a large portion, including mushy peas and homemade fish sauce. They do not have a website but are listed on the findnetone directory.

    Bampton Fish Bar - 17-19 BROOK ST, BAMPTON, TIVERTON, DEVON, EX16 9LU
     
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