20 hours ago
Award-winning family-run fish and chip shop suddenly closes two branches over ‘rising costs'
FANS have been left devastated after a famous fish and chip shop has shut two of its premises' doors after 60 years.
The adored family-run chippy Gormans shuttered its locations on Redburn Road in Westerhope and Denton Road in Newcastle due to "rising costs".
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"We are closed. Due to the ever increasing costs of energy, stock and wages, we are sad to announce that we have been forced to close," signs on the shops' windows read.
"Thank you to all our customers for your support over the years."
Diners flocked to social media to mourn the closures.
One wrote: "Used to be the best chippy in the area, queues every time.
"What a shame."
A second weighed in: "We've had our fish and chips from there for years."
It is not yet known if other Gormans chip shops have been forced to close.
Gormans was set up in the early 1960s by husband and wife Douglas and Evelyn Gorman.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO HOSPITALITY?
Many food and drink chains have been struggling recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns announced it would be shutting down 43 of its stores this year.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, also shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
This year has seen the announcing of further closures including from casual dining group Chipotle and an award-winning independent bistro in Merseyside.
A wave of other closures has rocked the high street, with even high end restaurants feeling the pinch.
The glamorous French restaurant La Dame de Pic closed for good earlier this year, with Kora by Tom Kitchen also putting the shutters down.
Some chains have blamed Rachel Reeves' decision to raise National Insurance contributions, though the Chancellor has insisted that her actions were necessary to stabilise the economy.
Other restaurants, like La Goccia in Covent Garden, said that 'covid' and 'Brexit' has made it impossible to hire qualified staff - forcing them to close.
