A takeaway in the pretty town of Sheringham. (Image: Eastern Daily Press / SWNS)
Residents of an award-winning seaside town are up in arms over the prospect of yet another fish and chip shop opening, fearing that their beloved coast is becoming overrun by fast food outlets.
Sheringham Town Council in Norfolk has rejected plans for a new seafront chippy that aimed to serve up the nation’s favourite dish.
This resistance comes just four months after Domino’s, one of the UK’s largest pizza chains, was also rebuffed by the community.
The proposal for an additional fish and chip shop on the high street of this traditional seaside town, which boasts Blue Flag status for its pristine beaches, has been met with strong resistance from local residents.
With five fish and chip shops already within a 500m radius, and seven in total, the town council has voiced concerns that the resort is “under threat” from an influx of fast food establishments, tallying up to 40 in the area.
Locals have expressed their dismay to the council, leading to the planning committee rejecting the bid for the new chippy due to inadequate waste disposal and bin storage solutions.
David Meierhofer, 66, visiting Sheringham for the day from Briston with his daughter Abbie, 30, and granddaughter Myla, commented: “There is a lot but we don’t notice too much as we always go the same one.”
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Residents of an award-winning seaside town are waging war against an eighth fish and chip shop being opened (Image: Eastern Daily Press / SWNS)
He added, “We have tried others but we have our favourite. There seems to be fewer shops now. If it is not a chippie opening it will be a vape shop.”
Yorkshire couple Sarah Castle, 70, and husband Keith, 82, raved about the multitude of options available during their seaside trip. Mrs Castle enthused: “We always have fish and chips by the seaside as it’s our favourite takeaway.
“It is good to have a choice in the summer. It saves you queueing when they are all busy.”
Meanwhile, local employee Leah Brindley, 18, from Dave’s Fish Shop, where she has worked for two years, expressed concern over the influx of new eateries: “We need more variety of shops. There is lots of food around.
“More diversity would be good for Sheringham.
“It is a bit unfair for smaller businesses that have been here for years if more are allowed, particularly chains.
“People feel strongly about it but, for us, we have our locals who wouldn’t go anywhere else anyway.”
Devoted customers Linda Lambert, 75, her husband Frank, 77, and their dog Mylie, visiting Sheringham from Dereham, are loyal to Dave’s for their chippy dinners.
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The backlash to the fish and chip shop comes just four months after Domino’s was also pushed out. (Image: Eastern Daily Press / SWNS)
Mrs Lambert declared: “Fish and chips is always a treat when you visit the coast. It isn’t complete without it.
“We’ve noticed shops closing but there seems to be more new places opening up.
“But we always go to the same place.”
Adding to the concerns, North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) received a resounding message from the town council regarding new planning applications: “The firmly held view is that the Sheringham’s conservation area is under threat by this planning application and others like it.
“NNDC to use its powers to reject this application and ensure that only an application that protects the wellbeing of its residents and visitors and respects the unique features of our conservation area will ever be approved.”
In other objections, critics are fervent, citing such moves would be “against public health policy,” expressing anxiety that the surge in fast food outlets could trigger an obesity epidemic.