The second national lockdown could be detrimental for many businesses, but not for Sisters Traditional Fish & Chips who opened on October 30.
Located in North Hykeham, Lincoln, the new shop has been opened by sisters, Rachel Tweedale and Lauren Walker who both have 16 years’ experience in the industry having worked for family-run Elite Fish and Chips.
Rachel talked about what it was like starting up during the COVID-19 pandemic saying “it wasn’t too bad at all” due to having worked at Elite Fish and Chips so “we knew what measures we could take to ensure our business could operate”.
The only real problem that they encountered was “finding finance to fund the venture as very few lenders were willing to loan in the current circumstances”.
LSJ News spoke to Rachel just three days after opening and she believes the first days were incredibly successful. “It’s been a great opportunity to get to know the community who have all been very supportive”.
Only one day after opening the shop, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the country’s second national lockdown would start on November 5 bringing in more problems for businesses. However, Rachel believes this will not make too much of a difference because of measures they have put in place. “We operate click and collect and limit the number of customers allowed in the shop”.
Running a restaurant together wasn’t always the plan though but through their mutual love of the food and a discussion about how they wanted to have a better work and life balance, the decision was made to open Sisters traditional Fish & Chips.
The current government guidelines allow hospitality venues to continue providing food and drink for takeaway, click and collect, drive-through or delivery.