Famous Black Country chippy announces closure of town franchise due to 'rising costs'
The owner of a popular Black Country fish and chip shop has said inflated costs were behind the closure of a franchise.
Royston Spencer said the closure of the shop's first franchise in Wednesfield on Monday had been down to costs rising which had affected the quality of the brand.
The Major's Fish & Chip shop in Wednesfield was confirmed as having closed in a message on the Major's Facebook page on Monday.
The shop had only opened in July last year as the first franchise of the popular fish and chip shop, which has been a popular eatery in Bilston since opening in 1975 due to its iconic orange chips.
Mr Spencer said it had been disappointing to have to close the franchise as he had hoped it would be the first of many franchises.
He said: "It was supposed to be the first of many around the region, but they'd couldn't make it work and, primarily, I'd say it was down to the cost of everything.
"It's just hard when you put all this work into the shop and are making no money out of the back of it, which is just a reality facing every fish and chip shop in the country.
"In the future, I'll just be signing my own franchises and will give it more of my own input, and while I wish the new owners of the shop all the best, I have taken my name and brand off it."
In the Facebook message, the chain confirmed that it had closed the shop, despite the best efforts and support of the franchise.
It also confirmed that there would be a transitional period while signs changed, but the site would no longer be a Major's Fish & Chip shop.
It ended the message by reassuring supporters that the shop in Bilston would remain open as normal.
The message on Facebook said: "Our Wednesfield branch is now closed permanently.
"There will be a transitional period while signs change, but please note our product is no longer associated with this site.
"Our Bilston site remains open as usual."
