Residents in one wealthy seaside town are leading a revolt against plans for its eighth chip shop over fears the resort is ‘under threat’ from fast food businesses.
The affluent town of Sheringham, Norfolk, was recently named one of the least affordable places to live in the country and has previously been awarded the Blue Flag award for its scenic and idyllic beaches.
But fed-up locals fear their plush town centre is being ruined by its many fast food businesses.
Sheringham is home to 40 takeaways, including five fish and chip shops within 500m of each other, and residents are now disputing plans to open yet another chippy.
Sheringham Town Council share the concerns of locals, and last week refused the latest application for a new takeaway selling the nation’s favourite dish, which would have become the town’s eighth fish and chip shop.
The application was denied by a planning committee over reasons relating to lack of adequate waste disposal and bin storage, with the committee too claiming that a new takeaway would be ‘against public health policy.’
But the council have also admitted they fear the resort is ‘under threat’ from fast food businesses just months after a Domino’s was pushed out of the town.
‘The firmly held view is that Sheringham’s conservation area is under threat by this planning application and others like it,’ a statement by the town council issued to North Norfolk District Town Council [NNDC] read.
‘We would like NNDC to use its powers to reject this application and ensure that only an application that protects the wellbeing of its residents and visitors and respects the unique features of our conservation area will ever be approved.’
One local took to Facebook to express her concern at the prospect of another takeaway opening its doors in Sheringham.
‘How utterly ridiculous,’ said Sylvia Jackson.
‘Use some imagination. A sandwich shop would be better.’
Local chip shop worker, 18-year-old Leah Brindley, who has worked at Dave’s Fish Shop for two years, agreed that the town does not need anymore food businesses.
‘More diversity would be good for Sheringham,’ she said.
‘It’s a bit unfair for smaller businesses that have been here for years if more are allowed, particularly chains.
‘People feel strongly about it but, for us, we have our locals who wouldn’t go anywhere else.’
Another local commented: ‘Can we get something more unique.’
Other visitors, however, praised the amount of ‘choice’ in the seaside town.
Sarah Castle, 70, and husband Keith, 82, had travelled from Yorkshire to spend the day in Norfolk.
Sarah said: ‘We always have fish and chips by the seaside as it’s our favourite takeaway.
‘It is good to have a choice in the summer. It saves you queueing when they are all busy.’
Customers at Dave’s Fish Shop, Linda Lambert, 75, and her husband Frank, 77, are regulars visitors to Sheringham.
Linda added: ‘Fish and chips is always a treat when you visit the coast. It isn’t complete without it.
‘We’ve noticed shops closing but there seems to be more new places opening up.
‘But we always go to the same place. ‘