A popular Nottinghamshire chippy has vowed to stay open 'as long as possible' as closure looms. Bambos Charalambous, 51, and his family have run Blue Circles Fish Bar on Front Street in Arnold since 1990, but on November 30 last year a plan to reduce it to rubble was passed by Gedling Borough Council.
The plan for 135-141 Front Street involves the creation of nine apartments as well as two new ground level shops after the demolition of the four existing shopfronts, two of which are occupied by Blue Circles Fish Bar and Front St Café. Mr Charalambous was heartbroken when the plans initially came to light, with the eatery started by his father and uncle and carried on by him and most of his 15 children, who have worked there at some point.
Despite Gedling Borough Council's planning committee approving the plans, Mr Charalambous has yet to learn when he will have to leave the long-standing eatery - and he said he was adamant on staying on long as he can. "We have nothing at all from the landlord so far on when we will have to go. We're just going on as normal at the moment, for as long as we can," he said.
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"We're trying to stay here as long as possible. The longer we stay here the better for us - as it will be difficult to move."
A petition against the plans with 1,735 signatories was received by the planning committee prior to its decision. At the meeting, applicant and building owner Michael Zucker explained the poor state of the existing shops had resulted in empty units and anti-social behaviour.
Two of the four units are empty and the managing agents are unable to let them in their current state, it was said. The building owner added the Front St Café is looking to sell on the lease or exit their tenancy early due to economic pressures.
Previously Mr Charalambous said the perilous trading environment for chippies would make finding another location very difficult. "Everything has been so expensive, especially the energy which has more than doubled," he added.
"Vegetable oil used to be £5 a block but now it is £28, so you've got to spend £100 on oil before you even start the fryers up. With business the way it is it would be very difficult to move somewhere else."
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