Couple ‘striving to provide the best fish and chips in Stoke-on-trent’
The Seafarer in Hanley is under new management. RACHEL LAWTON finds out what the new owners have in store
IT’S been a firm favourite in the city centre for years but The Seafarer is now under new management. Andrew Pritchard, aged 45, has taken on the business, on Cheapside, Hanley, with his partner, 31-year-old Shelley Kittle. The duo officially took over on October 1 and are excited to welcome customers old and new.
Primarily a chippy, the restaurant – where you can sit in or takeaway – is now looking to increase its menu and opening hours. The new owners are hoping to open until 8pm, and they’re keen to introduce special themed nights too.
They have also recently introduced a delivery service – and are taking all the necessary Covid-19 health and safety measures.
Andrew, from Burslem, said: “Neither of us have any experience in food or catering or anything like that. So it’s been a new experience for us both, but regulars have been very welcoming to us and we’ve had lots of compliments on the food already.
“We have retained all of the staff, which was really important to us. We have an amazing chef called Ethan Clarke, who is 19 and was an assistant chef when we arrived. We have since promoted him to head chef and he has already created ‘Ethan’s breakfast burger’ which will be on the menu soon. He works like a Trojan and his food is second to none!”
The duo have kept the essence of The Seafarer, but are excited to put their own spin on the eatery.
Andrew continued: “Our menu is predominantly fish and chips – we didn’t want to come in and change too much. We are just striving to provide the best quality fish and chips in Stoke-on-trent.
“In a few weeks we are looking to extend our opening hours until around 8pm, so we can offer special themed nights, with new items on the menu, such as chilli hot dogs.”
Andrew and Shelley have also introduced their delivery service – which has been added to the business by popular demand.
Andrew said: “Our daughter’s nursery asked if we could deliver, and we are more than happy to do so. We’ve had inquiries from all over including Sneyd Green, Tunstall and Burslem.
“Some of our pensioners have also asked if we’d be able to deliver to them on a Friday, as that is the night when people traditionally have fish and chips for tea. We have said there’s no limit on our deliveries. If we can get there, we are happy to deliver.
“We’re also keen to act on feedback and accommodate things that a customer might want. Our daughter’s nursery asked for caramel lattes in their order, so I have been out to get the syrups and that’s something we can continue doing.
“Customers can expect a warm welcome when they come to The Seafarer, and they will be treated as if they are part of the family.
“Come and try us once and I’m sure you’ll be back again – the doors are wide open.”
The Seafarer is open everyday from 8am to 5pm, but they close early on a Thursday at 2.30pm.