Local homeless charities have had a lunchtime fish feast – thanks to award winning local chippy, Fish ‘n’ Fritz.
Let down by a coach party at the last moment left award winning chippy owner, Paul Hay with 45 portions of hot fish and chips dinners on Wednesday lunchtime (9th November) and no diners! But quick thinking Paul hit the phones to local charities, The Lantern Trust and Bus Shelter Dorset, to provide a free feast to their clients.
Owner, Paul, said, “We welcome a lot of coach parties for lunch throughout the year, but on this occasion, the coach party had inadvertently booked us instead of a fish shop in Cirencester! They realised their mistake when they arrived at their destination and found they had empty plates. Meanwhile, here in Weymouth, I had their pre-ordered lunches cooked in time for their expected arrival and no customers!”
He continued, “But every cloud has a silver lining. We got straight on the phone to Emily McCarron from The Bus Shelter Dorset and Mike Graham from the Lantern Trust, to donate the meals”.
The surprise donation was well received by the charities.
Emily McCarron from The Bus Shelter Dorset, told KeeP 106: “It was all aboard for a great lunch at The Bus Shelter Dorset thanks to Paul. We offer unique accommodation with tailored support which provides local rough sleepers with shelter, warmth, community and today, a hot surprise lunch”.
Mike Graham from the Lantern Trust said: “We raced down to the Fish ‘n’ Fritz to collect the meals and serve them to our delighted clients. It certainly brought a smile to everyone’s lips.”
He continued, “Our charity provides hot meals for around 80 people a week and donations are always welcome. Today, no one went hungry and our clients had a welcome feast thanks to Paul”.
Fish ‘n Fritz, Market Street, Weymouth was named as one of the UK’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways 2021 – the only chip shop in the Weymouth to make the prestigious list. And, they are no strangers to charitable giving either. Earlier this year, they donated fresh fruit and vegetable boxes to the Weymouth Foodbank.
Owner Paul Hay concludes, “It was our pleasure to make the donation. We like to help out the local community whenever we can’.
