Bank Rolling!

Awards & Marathon Success for The Fish Bank & Jonathan

By Austen Dack

It’s been a great four years for Jonathan France owner of The Fish Bank in Sherburn in Elmet (just outside Leeds).

A former NatWest Bank turned fish & chip takeaway unfortunately stood closed within 18 months and two ownerships prior to Jonathan purchasing the shop, “I’d no experience of operating a fish & chip shop, but always believed if you can produce good fish & chips, you will get the customers” he said.

Almost a year to the day of opening, was the evening of Monday 23rd March when the Prime Minister recommended all businesses to close. Like most other operators, Jonathan initially closed the doors to safeguard his colleagues and customers: “It was a scary time and the thought of someone catching Covid due to us was unthinkable”. After three weeks the staff were eager to re-open, so with a review of how the major retailers operated, a Covid risk assessment was produced. “Thankfully we have a large customer area, so we created a social distance plan and got some great floor stickers made, one of which was of Captain Tom”.

Covid was not a situation that anyone wants to experience again, it did however bring people back to fish & chips and increased the turnover of The Fish Bank. Just over a year later Jonathan took all of the increased revenue accumulation and invested it back into the business and closed the doors for two weeks for a mini refurb and new Kiremko frying range. It’s a move most people wouldn’t have done at this point but as Jonathan says, “I want to work in the nicest environment I can, with the best ingredients and the best equipment. We can spot a new customer straight away as you can hear them comment how spotless and modern the shop is”.

Not only did the shop get invested in, so too have Jonathan and his team. They have undertaken several NFFF training courses; “I’m a massive advocate for getting properly trained and I’m the first to tell everyone that I should have undertaken it before I opened the doors! The trainers are all fellow operators who have fantastic businesses and will guide and help you during and after the course”.

It’s been a great first three years for the Fish Bank but the past 12 months have been really special. The National Fish & Chip Awards were back and Jonathan couldn’t wait to apply. However they were too long in business for the Best Newcomer category. So, they applied for the Best Fish & Chip Takeaway and Field to Frier categories. “It was such an exciting journey; I remember I’d just got back from a run and the phone blew up with friends in the industry congratulating us of making the Top 40! I’d seen great shops have a Top 40 poster and I was thrilled we’d now got one. It was the same when the Field to Fryer Top 20 and 10 got announced”.

The Fish Bank went on to make Top 10 in the Fish & Chip take away category and went to the prestigious award ceremony. “I can honestly say that to get to the Top 10 and go to London to the awards was an absolute career highlight. The support from our customers, friends and family was amazing. To have made Top10 where some of the very best shops in the industry have been, is fantastic.”

During this magical journey of taking the shop to new heights Jonathan decided to his personal fitness to the same heights and sign up for the Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon!

“Rob Burrow is also from my hometown of Castleford, and I’d met him with my two girls when I attended his charity auction to help him raise money for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease and we bought his Challenge Cup winners shirt. So, when his marathon was announced I signed straight up after getting over the initial I could never do that thoughts. Marathons are such a big thing for very good reason, you must commit yourself to it for at least six months. I partnered with Robs chosen charity MND earlier this year charged customer 20p for a paper bag and each click & collect order has a 20p surcharge automatically added. I buy the bags so the full 20p goes to the MND charity. We’re just trying to do our bit for this much needed cause that helps individuals and families dealing with the disease. Our fantastic customers have supported us all the way”. www.fishbank.co.uk

WE HAVE SUPPLIED INBUILT SUPERPAD SYSTEMS (TRIPLE FILTRATION) FOR FACTORY FITTING TO:

MARTYN EDWARDS

FRANK FORD

KIREMKO (KFE)

HENRY NUTTALL SCOTRANGE

EDEN RANGE

WE HAVE ALSO RETRO-FITTED BASKET FILTRATION AND SUPER PAD UNITS TO SHOP INSTALLED RANGES. PLEASE CALL FOR ADVICE ON YOUR RANGE