Six months on from reopening, a Felixstowe fish and chip shop owner said his hopes are high for 2023.

Last summer, the future was uncertain for Fish Dish, the popular fish and chip shop restaurant and takeaway on Undercliff Road. 

Staff shortages and a struggle to find chefs following Britain’s departure from the European Union led owner Alper Tekin to close the business’s doors last summer, as he said he was unable to maintain the high-quality food the restaurant was known for. 

Mr Tekin runs the business with his partner, Sarka Hessova.

The businessesman was able to reopen Fish Dish in September after taking on additional staff. 

He is keen to build on the restaurant’s success, and hopes that its fish and chips will again be named as some of the best in the country.

In 2017, the restaurant was named as one of the UK’s top ten outlets by Fry Magazine. 

“The decision to close was made to keep our standards high,” explained Mr Tekin. “A lot of work goes into our fish and chips – there is far more to it than just putting potatoes in a fryer.” 

Mr Tekin said he and his team have been working hard since September, although this has been made difficult by the cost-of-living crisis. 

“The first three months of this year have been some of the quietest I have ever known. Everywhere has been struggling,” he said. 

"But, things are picking up.”

He added that all Fish Dish’s regular customers had returned, and, at the time of reporting, the restaurant was full. 

Mr Tekin is continuing to grow his team, and hopes that the restaurant’s efforts will again be recognised in next year’s fish and chip awards.