One of Ayrshire’s most famous chip shops looks set to be saved from closure.
It was announced last week that The Plaice to Be was closing its doors amid “out of control” costs in the industry.
Chippy boss Jo Goudie took the “heartbreaking” decision hours after the Kilmarnock takeaway was crowned the best in Ayrshire at the inaugural Scottish Chippy Awards.
The Stoneyhill Avenue venue remains closed for now, but previous operators of The Plaice to Be, George and Grace Meikle, are aiming to revive the shop and its famous name.
The husband and wife team own the shop, which was leased to Ms Goudie, and are now working to try and reopen the Riccarton venue.
The dream team achieved a National Federation of Fish Friers Fish and Chip Quality award in 2014 and they were named in the top 60 shops in the whole of the UK at the National Fish and Chip awards.
The Meikles have owned the premises since 2000 and previously ran successful fish and chip shops in Aberfeldy and Pitlochry, both in Perth and Kinross.
Grace Meikle told the Kilmarnock Standard: “The Plaice to Be will be open again in the future under the Meikle name.”
Jo Goudie took charge of the shop four-and-a-half years ago and also netted various awards over the years.
Ms Goudie said on the Plaice to Be Facebook page on Thursday: “Due to unforeseen circumstances I sadly have to inform all my customers that we will not be continuing as a business.
“I (Jo), the owner, have made this incredibly hard decision after much thought.
“The rising costs of everything is way out of control in this industry and excessive lease payments have made it too hard for me as a business to move forward in these uncertain and horrible times.
“After putting my heart and sole into this it’s a very hard pill to swallow. I’ve worked in the shop since the age of 14 and progressed on to own the shop age 22.
“Not knowing a thing about business but a love for the fish and chip industry.
“Since December 2018 and for the past 4.5 years I have had the best time of my life through all the highs and the lows with Covid etc I’ve came through it all… All the awards we have won and being on Saturday Night Takeaway live TV.
“I’ve taken the business to a place that I never even thought was possible for myself I only ever dreamed of this.”
Jo said the decision was the end of an era but hinted that she will return to the chippy industry in the future.
The post continued: “P.S. This is not the end of ‘Jo’s chippy’, I’ll be back to the fish and chip industry bigger and better. Watch this space.”
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