Latest news with #CMDesign
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Why popular Lossiemouth fish and chip shop is expanding to meet growing demand from tourists and locals
Andrea Steel is living her dream by running The Galley fish and chip shop in Lossiemouth alongside husband Jamie. As a youngster, she worked in a chipper in her hometown Hopeman. Later in life, she worked for Elgin-based architectural practice CM Design for 15 years. Meanwhile, Jamie's career path has seen he serve as an merchant navy engineer and then work as a heating engineer with Scottish Gas for 20 years. Now he is balancing his own business Northern Energy Technical Services Ltd with working in the fish and chip shop. Almost nine years ago, the couple took over The Galley in Lossiemouth. The pair have lived next door to the shop though since the early 2000s and for years joked about buying the business. So, when the opportunity came about they took the plunge. Now they want to extend the shop to meet the demands of the large number of customers coming in for food every week. Last January, plans were approved to build a shop extension which will create more room for storage. Meanwhile, the customer area will be increased and changes to the frontage including the single door entrance being replaced by double doors. It is hoped this will help with the build up of long lines of customers at the till during the peak season. The renovation is expected to take place later this year or into the start of 2026. Andrea said: 'The shop is currently really tight for space so we need to increase the customer area and storage space at the back. 'The new double doors in the middle at the front will make it easier for customers to get in and out of the shop. 'Especially as it can get really congested with customers lining up for the till. 'Every summer we get busier and busier, which is great for us.' She says the biggest challenge the chipper faces is the rising costs of everything. In 2016, when they took over the business, the price of a fish and chip supper was £6.79. Today the same order will cost you £9.50. Andrea said: 'The biggest challenge is the rising costs on electric, gas, packaging and food. 'Therefore, the margins are tight. She added: 'Everybody used to say a chippy was an affordable takeaway and sometimes it doesn't feel like that anymore. 'That's why we try to keep the prices down as low as we can 'At the moment, I haven't put my prices up yet in 2025 in line with everything else. I'm trying to hold off to give people a better deal.' The business gets their fish from Eat Mair Fish in Buckie. Andrea says people want fresh fish straight off the boat and how they cook everything fresh to order. She said: 'People want fresh fish because it is the best. 'I'm lucky I can get fish from Eric Mair at Eat Mair Fish in Buckie which means I don't have far to go if I run out, which has happened a few times. 'We take our annual holidays at Christmas time as that's when the fishing boats are off which makes sense as we can't get a delivery of fish until they start back up in the new year.' Andrea is happy about the location of The Galley on Clifton Road, where many people drive down to get to visit Lossiemouth's beaches. She said: 'It is the perfect location as you can stop off to pick up your fish and chips and then head down to the river or one of the two beaches. 'Lossiemouth is a super place to come when the sun is shining and even when the sun is not shining it is too. 'The town is thriving and bustling with great beaches, restaurants, shops and people go out their way to help you.' She thanked her regular customers for the support which ensures the shop continues to be a popular spot in the town. They have a team of 12 youngsters who work in the dog-friendly shop. Last year, the business was a finalist in the Scottish Fish and Chips Awards.
Press and Journal
22-04-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Aurora Hotel in Nairn tries again with restaurant plans they say are needed to secure future of businesses
Fresh restaurant renovation plans have been submitted to safeguard the future of a Nairn hotel after previous proposals were thrown out. The Aurora Hotel has been pushing for an extension to their dining room for years, which has landed them in hot water with nearby neighbours in the past. Previously, the hotel said the if the extension did not go ahead it would 'threaten the long-term future of the business.' The council is now being asked to assess new proposals, which hotel owners have said 'addresses all concerns' lodged previously. The new restaurant area has now taken a dramatic step back from the previous proposal. Gone is the previous 'L' shaped wing, replaced with a more reserved extension in line with other buildings on the street. An objection from neighbours Mr and Mrs Duncan's came from the original 'L' wing, which they feared would impact their sunlight, especially in winter. The new pub has also been removed from the plans as both rooms will now be used for dining. The extension was originally to house an extra 40 guests, but it is not yet clear how many new seating spaces the new plan will allow. In their new application, CM Design said the wider hospitality industry is under continued strain and planning delays have cost the hotel 'dearly.' They added: 'Here we have a long standing local business, adventuring forward with further investment in the town.' CM Design's Finlay Mackay said owner Enrico Sulejmani has amended proposals in response to criticism and 'addresses all concerns.' Mr Mackay said: 'This proposal has a reduced impact on the streetscape compared to the previously refused applications. 'The extension preserves the traditional form of the host property and does not impact on the amenity of neighbouring householders.' In their previous application, a developer statement said the extension would 'provide a service to the community' and secure the future of the business. They spoke of a hotel industry, which has been 'decimated by the culture of Airbnb', and explained the renovated restaurant would provide an avenue for the business to continue. They also blamed the threat of an A96 bypass reducing their trade, as currently the trunk road passes directly in front of the hotel in Nairn. Aurora Hotel has been fighting to expand the dining space since 2013. Over the years this has included several plans to replace the conservatory with a larger building. One such expansion plan was approved, but due to 'many business factors' work was unable to get started and planning permission expired. As a result, Aurora Hotel again had to enter the planning system, which is when it saw the plans rejected by councillors. At the time, councillors called the development 'overpowering' and said the neighbour's loss of sunlight to be 'unacceptable.' Councillors may yet again be asked to decide on the plans, which can be viewed here.
