Value for money and quality are the core values of Eastwood’s newest chippy, which has something for everyone, including vegan options and gluten-free. When fish and chip shops are struggling, with some shutting down, it might seem risky timing.
But the founders of Sea & Earth have every confidence that their fourth branch will be just as successful as existing shops in Woodthorpe, Loughborough and Leek. As well as the usual cod, haddock, fishcakes and sausages, the brand has a vegan twist with just as many choices.
The latest shop has opened in Nottingham Road, in a location that has been a chip shop under different names for more than 40 years. Prices for a small cod with chips and sauce start at £8.55 rising to £10.50 for a larger portion. The vegan equivalent is battered banana blossom, costing £8.25 with chips and sauce. Vegan scampi, sausages, pies, nuggets, vishcakes and mushy pea fritters are some of the other options. Children’s portions are served in buckets with spades.
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Managing director Chris Constantinou, co-founder along with his brother Andrew, said the first day had got off to a terrific start – and a recent recommendation from national food critic Tom Parker Bowles certainly hasn’t done them any harm.
Chris said: “The opening day was fantastic. We were really overwhelmed with the Eastwood community. They have really welcomed us and it’s great to see we have opened the doors and people just get it. It really is brilliant.
“Vegan sales vary from site to site, around 10 to 30 percent. We’ve always said if we’re going to do something we’ll do it properly. I know a lot of restaurants cater with a couple of dishes but I’d rather not have it on the menu if it’s not worth having . We want to cater for all.
“We try and mirror everything that we do that is non-vegan. Our motto is quality with great service. We produce our own batter and our curry. The passion is in our food,” said Chris, whose father George was the founder of the George’s Tradition chain of chippies.
Even though half the menu is dedicated to vegan options, it’s fish and chips that are the key product. “That’s what we’re known for. I was born into the industry. I think my first job with my dad was when I was ten. Fish and chips has been in our veins for the whole of our life.”
The new shop has a self-service kiosk for placing orders but customers can still order the old-fashioned way at the counter. Click and collect and delivery are also available. Chris said: “We try and make it as convenient as we can. The self-service kiosk gives the menu and photographs. I think photos are worth a thousand words.
“The industry is very hard. The price of electric and gas has just shot up 10 times over. I feel for people and a lot of people think us opening is crazy. It’s a delicate time at the moment but I strongly believe it’s not the first recession we’ve gone through. You always get waves. Unfortunately there are certain individuals who won’t get through the other side. You need to adapt and look around you. For us it’s going very well.”
The Eastwood site has a sentimental value for the Constantinou family as that very unit was the one found by their father, allowing their uncle to open his own business in 1982. The property has remained in the family but was more recently has been leased to a succession of different owners, going from George’s of Eastwood, to Vas’ fish and chips and doner kebabs in 2016. In 2017 it changed to Eastwood Town Fish Bar.
Now 100 per cent back in the family’s hands the shop has been given a complete makeover in typical Sea & Earth design. Chris said: “The brand was moving forward, we were looking for another site and it merged together. We got a sentimental property as well expanding the brand.”
The takeaway will soon be adding a restaurant with around 20 seats within three to four weeks. “The furnishings are there but we need to dress it in the Sea & Earth influence. Even if you look on the outside one door has an oar, another a hoe. It’s the little things that make the difference.
“In 2025, next summer, we’ve got we like to call a secret garden where there will be seating outside with a little bit of wine and beer, a chill out area.”
Sea & Earth is open everyday and Sundays will be dedicated to gluten-free.