First came cod and chips, then the spring roll. But mince pies deep-fried in batter?
It might sound unlikely, but Lowestoft chip shop owner Mike Smith hopes customers snap up the festive treats for charity.
From today, people will be able to buy the 25p mince pies from Pisces fish bar on London Road South and all profits will be given to the James Paget Hospital children's wards.
More than 15 years ago, Mr Smith became one of the first in the area to fry Mars bars, and since then has tried everything from hot cross buns to ice creams.
Sorry that I have lost touch with the O.M.A., this has not been intentional but due to pressure of work. I do not know if you are aware, but we sold our shop in Kettering in May 1997 and bought a new one in Fleetwood near Blackpool with the intention of building it up. As it was a very run down shop, we spent a lot of money on it to bring it up to standard, then a lot of time training staff who were a constant problem, but, nevertheless, we did succeed. We won the title "Best Fish and Chip Shop in the North of England" and runner-up in the British Isles. This brought TV coverage on several occasions as well as live broadcasts on four different radio stations. This, of course, brought other problems, a big increase in customers and more staff to employ and train. We have now achieved what we set out to do, and that is to sell the business and get a rent from the property. So at the moment we are, as they say, between jobs. This is the first time I have really had the opportunity to let you know what I have been up to. We hope to see you all in October providing things allow us to do so.
Mike Smith
