RHYL residents have leapt to the defence of a fish and chip shop in the town, after it was given a food hygiene rating of one.
The hugely-popular Town Fryer was awarded the surprise score after assessment on January 9, with its hygienic food handling ‘good’, the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building ‘generally satisfactory’, and its management of food safety ‘major improvement necessary’.
The Journal reported on this, and also sought comment from the owners, who put the score down to paperwork issues.
MORE: Rhyl takeaway handed new food hygiene rating of one
The response from readers showed the immense popularity the chippie has among residents, and many came to the defence of the shop.
These were just some of the more than 400 responses to the story:
- Gemma Owen – “This surprises me, because this is my go to chippy, friendly staff, beautiful fish and curry, best chips. I live in Prestatyn but will always go to this chippy instead of my local ones.”
- Tina Hurson – “Best fish and chips in Rhyl. We don't eat paperwork.”
- Suzanne M Dexter-Jones – “Never been in but always busy and I’ve seen them clean up every time I’ve been past it when closed. They really work hard from what I can see, both closed and open.”
- Glynny Jones – “If I'm working in Rhyl and fancying a chippy dinner, I always go to the Town Frier, that won't change. It’s great and cheap as, well, chips.”
- Lynda Mdee – “I’m dead fussy and I’ve eaten here several times. Good prices, excellent service, happy staff, quality food and everywhere looks clean.”
- Vicky Penny – “Mary [the owner] hold your head up high, you've got an amazing chippy and your loyal customers will still come in droves.”
- Roy Oliver – “One of the best chippies along North Wales, always worth a visit when we stop off at Rhyl.”
- Lauren Bradley – “This is a joke! It’s the best chippy in town! Absolutely amazing workers and amazing food!”
- Samantha Louise – “It’s all about paperwork these days, won’t stop us coming to see our ladies.”
- Sylvia Williams – “The best chippy in Rhyl. You only have to pass it to see that! It’s always full with regular customers. It's so wrong how this rating system is not just governed by the quality and handling of the food.”
- Shaun Dean – “The paperwork for the catering industry is only getting worse and worse as the times progress, there’s more and more rules and regulations.”
- Stephen Darbey – “Absolute joke, Mary runs a great shop, unfortunately the local hygiene inspector would rather you tick a box on a pointless form than actually spend time cleaning etc.”
The Chippy, another takeaway on Grange Road, Rhyl, also came to the defence of the Town Frier, saying: “We had this happen to us, why can’t the council and government support small businesses. You have our support.”
Owner Mary Theresa Smith Eromosele, a popular figure with customers, said of the inspection: “She was nice as pie when she came, had four little jobs to be done.
“Book was up to date but had it on a diary which I was told she did not like.”
The Town Fryer has booked a re-evaluation, but these are not usually completed until at least three months after the previous inspection.
The business was told that they would be re-evaluated 8 weeks from the initial inspection.
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