How two Marlow fish and chip shops are coping through the pandemic

Kedar Gore, who owns the Penguin Fish Bar on West Street in Marlow and Gav Singh, who runs Oysters Fish and Chips in Marlow Bottom respectively, have exclusively spoken to the Free Press which has seen them ‘stop-start’ since March last year.

Numerous changes to the shop layout, a decrease in customers, and getting used to the ‘new normal’ in facemasks, deliveries and apps are just some of the things both owners are experiencing as the pandemic continues to keep the country on hold.

So how much has changed to the nation’s favourite dish, and how has this affected two of the town’s establishments?

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Mr Gore of the Penguin Fish Bar, which has been in the town for 13 years, said: “We managed to grind our way through.

“Last year around March time, I will admit those were scary times.

“We were not sure if we were meant to be open or not, and then business went quiet and the streets became completely dead.

“So we decided to close up and just thought, ‘we’ll wait and see what happens’.

“We closed for around 10 days last year and I remember it got to around Good Friday and we opened for that, and we got a very good response on Facebook as we were quite busy.

“It all came from one little post on Facebook saying that we are open for business on Good Friday and as we became quite business from that, we decided to weekend only (Friday and Saturday), before doing a few evenings and then by end of June, we were back to six evenings a week.

“Then in July, it was back to six days a week so it has been a bit stop-and-start but I looking back now, I think we were quite lucky to survive all of that.”

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The West Street venue has since had several changes made to its interior, with new floors being installed and a fresh coat of paint being put up, and with the business now having an alcohol license, Mr Gore hopes that Penguin Fish Bar can increase its customers as we enter the summer months.

Prior to the pandemic in January 2020, the owner of the chippy openly spoke to the Free Press about the struggles the Penguin Fish Bar were currently facing, which included a lack of customers.

He continued: “It is not easy, especially if you take rent in Marlow into account, but we have had a business rate relief over the last year of so, which has been a massive help for us.

“That in a way has kept us going, otherwise, we would have really struggled so it hasn’t been easy.

“But you need to be positive, as other businesses are closing and we are still here, and you feel for those who businesses are no longer there.”

Oysters Fish & Chips in Marlow Bottom is also facing similar challenges.

The Brucewood Parade eatery, have spent several hundreds of pounds on safety equipment such as plastic screens between customers and staff which have been ‘screwed and welded on bespokely’ for the company and a click-and-collect app when an order has been made.

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And despite recent success in being name as one of the country’s best fish and chip shops in official polls, Mr Singh has revealed that the last 16 months have been ‘quite tough’, due to the demands of keeping a business afloat during unprecedented times.

He said: “We have been here 12 years in March, we have got a good community here and we have got our regulars who love getting their fish and chips so that has been a godsend.

“Our sales have dipped, but not to the extent that they thought they would have, when you take into account the additional costs of staffing, the app and safety equipment.

“We’re still business and that is the most important thing.”

One of the main concerns for the owner is that the cost of supplies (potatoes and fish) have increased significantly, to the point where the type of potato he uses changes ‘between six to seven’ times a year, when it used to be once or twice.

But with a loyal customer base, as well as being known in the village, Mr Singh hopes that the love and support for his business will continue throughout these testing times.

He continued: “In the last four weeks, I think our potato prices have increased to around 110 to 120 per cent in the last four weeks.

“Previously on the past, I had maybe one or two brands throughout the year.

“Now, I chop and change between six to seven variety of potatoes as the market has gone that way, and it is getting very difficult as each potato has its own characteristics.

“At the moment, we are using Yellow Flesh potatoes, and anyone who goes to the supermarket will know that it is very hard to get a good potato.

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“And these potatoes are a lot of work, so we are paying over the odds for them and then we still have to cut them up and prepare the chips on-site every day so that they are fresh.

“It is a lot more labour intensive, so this means you need to get more staff.

“We provide a click & collect service, and unfortunately, we are not in a position to deliver nor are we geared up to do that.”

Despite the challenges, the business did enjoy a very vibrant day on Friday, June 4 which was National Fish and Chip Day, as many customers, which included the Mayor of Marlow, Richard Scott, attend the venue.

He continued: “Fish and chips is a fresh product so it doesn’t really travel well like a pizza or an Indian takeaway.

“On the whole, I think Marlow Bottom and Marlow have been very supportive, as they have chosen to have their fish and chips which I think is a big deal.

“It has been stressful as I have got a young family to look after so it has been tough, but I am thankful for being safe.

“People can see for themselves that high streets and becoming ghost towns due to so many shops closing, so everyone needs to support their high street other it just accelerates its death.”

To support both the Penguin Fish Bar visit www.facebook.com/Penguinfishbar and www.facebook.com/OystersChippy or call 01628 477271 or 01628 472326.