Chippy closed until specialist engineer can get here
NORTH Side Plaice, the fish and chip shop on the Bridge, is closed until an engineer from the UK can repair its frying range.
But finding one is proving difficult, and there is nobody on-island qualified to repair the specialised equipment.
While closed, the building, which is owned by Guernsey Electricity, is undergoing general maintenance, which was planned for later this year.
‘We’ve been pulling our hair out since Monday morning when one of the girls smelled gas,’ said co-tenant Kerry Lesbirel.
Immediately they closed and contacted Guernsey Gas to locate the issue.
‘They checked the gas lines at the back of the building and said there was no leak outside, and that they couldn’t do anything beyond that. All they could do was switch off the supply.’
Because it is a commercial business, the engineer must hold the qualification for frying ranges.
‘There is not one person in Guernsey who can. The range is totally specialised so nobody can do it. We can’t open or have anything running until it’s sorted. It’s been a nightmare.’
One on-island company could test it to find the fault but they would require a specialist engineer there too.
‘So that’s where our problem lies. The guy we usually use is in Leeds, which is having a local lockdown. We contacted someone in Jersey but there are no boats or flights that would work.
Next week looks more promising.
‘One guy is willing to take it on who we’re hoping can get him cleared as a critical worker to come over early next week. Hopefully we’ll be back in action soon.’
