Popular Burnham fish and chip shop to celebrate 40th anniversary

The family behind Burnham Fish and Chips is looking forward to celebrating the business’ 40th anniversary on National Fish and Chips Day on Friday.

The shop in Burnham Lane is run by husband and wife Mohinder and Gurdip Bal along with their sons, Sachinder and Kulwinder, and daughter-in law Raini.

Speaking to the Advertiser ahead of the company’s milestone, Kulwinder discussed the importance of decades of loyal community support amid the challenges of operating in a ‘dying industry’.

“My parents have seen generations of customers,” said Kulwinder, whose father owned one of the first kebab vans in Slough before founding Burnham Fish and Chips.

“His customers from back then still come to his fish and chips shop now.

“A certain person would come in as a kid and now brings their own children in – it’s really nice seeing that.”

Fish and chip shop owners across the country have had to contend with myriad challenges over recent years, including rising supply costs.

Kulwinder was keen to draw attention to the shop’s suppliers – T.Quality, Mannin Fish, Peter’s Food and Mitchell’s Potatoes. He said they had been fundamental in supporting the business, particularly in difficult times.

“If it wasn’t for their help, their quality of goods that they give us for us to have repeat customers, we couldn’t run a business for 40 years,” said Kulwinder

“It’s more than a delivery,” said David Mitchell, company director of Mitchell’s Potatoes.

“It’s a relationship built on trust, consistency, and a shared passion for proper British fish and chips.”

The industry’s challenges have been exacerbated in recent months by EU sanctions placed on imports of white fish from Russia.

Norebo, a fishing company controlling 45 per cent of the cod quota in Russia, directly supplies cod to the EU market.

Despite being an EU sanction, the impact is still felt in the UK with many owners purchasing their products indirthrough other European countries.

With the price of cod potentially now soaring to as much as £300 per case, shop owners are looking at alternative products like hake which can be offered at a better price point.

Kulwinder added: “There’s going to be less cod on the market – that’s why the price is going to go up.

“It’s just a big knock-on effect.

“We still have to keep our margins at what they are, otherwise we might as well just close our doors.”

He added: “Fish and chips is a dying industry – even potatoes are going up with the rainy season we had a few years ago.”

To celebrate the coinciding of the company’s 40th anniversary and National Fish and Chips Day, walk-in customers will be offered a free bag of chips if they buy a meal today (Friday).