5 days ago
Chip shop damaged in fire enjoys bumper trade after reopening
A fish and chip shop which relaunched two years after being damaged in a fire has had a bumper opening period.
Fish 'n' Fritz in Weymouth has been taken over by Dan Gillam and his family - who have reopened the takeaway side of the business.
Mr Gillam said opening night went 'very well' and the business welcomed more than 300 customers.
He added: 'It has been a long time coming. We had a few issues to overcome before opening and now we are open the team are great, and the customers are great.
'We have had lots of old customers returning, as well as customers on holiday that have returned who told us that Fish 'n' Fritz was always the place they went.
'All the locals are great and have been really supportive.'
The team at Fish 'n' Fritz (Image: Dan Gillam)
Now, the owner is focusing on getting the sit-in restaurant side of the business open – with sights set on the end of the summer.
Mr Gillam said: 'We need to get the restaurant open as soon as possible as people are asking all the time.'
Fish 'n' Fritz, which has been visited by celebrities and won a clutch of awards, was previously run by Paul Hay.
A fire broke out at the premises - which is on the corner of Maiden Street and Market Street - on the evening of Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Roads were closed and nearby homes and businesses were evacuated for safety reasons while firefighters dealt with the blaze.
Crews acted quickly to extinguish the fire and prevent the spread to the flats above.
It was later revealed that the fire originated from a dishwasher.
Mr Gillam previously told the Echo that his in-laws John and Karen Amos, who used to own Neptunes and Karen's Kitchen in Buxton Road – which is now Codfathers - are joining.
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Mr and Mrs Amos will play a key part in the front of house side of the business.
There will also be a handful of jobs available including counter staff, kitchen help and fryers.
Mr Gillam is a Weymouth local and comes from a business background. He is also one of the directors of Vanworx on Portland.
