Oh dear, there really are some prissy people in some (Hah!...let's be clear...ALL) of our local councils.It seems that in the Royal Borough of Maidenhead, there is something of a row going on about the opening of a fish and chip shop in Clifford Crescent.
A relatively harmless enough business venture, one would have thought?
Not if you are a Liberal Democrat.
Councillor Humaira Jared (Liberal Democrat) is against the shop.
For why?
Chip shops, according to the councillor, encourage rats, obesity in children and risk an increase in anti-social activities.
What a load of bollocks!
Isn't it funny how that party more often than not seeks to curtail individual freedoms and liberties, hardly very liberal or democratic is it?
> an increase in anti-social activities
ReplyDeleteSuch as being a Liberal Demnocrat for example?
Who can afford to buy fish these days?
ReplyDeleteAnd to open a shop in a 'crescent' as well!
It all smacks of elitism to me.
Of course most of these places sell more than just fish and chips so maybe there is some sort of personal religious food problem in the matter?
Grant
PS. Anon - I think there was a typo in your post. 'Demoncrat' surely?
:-)
> maybe there is some sort of personal religious food problem in the matter
ReplyDeleteThat was one of my thoughts.
My first thought was "I wonder where this councillor lives?" Followed closely by "Is it Clifford Cresent by any chance?", "Next door to the proposed establishment maybe?" and "Is this just a NIMBY on a power trip?"
Interesting that people's first reaction to stories like this is the suspicion that it's a self-serving councillor rather than any real objection.
Even taking the excuses at face value they're still bollocks.
Encouraging rats? And fortnightly rather than weekly refuse collections don't? Or are you saying your environmental health colleagues at the council are less competent at enforcing hygiene standards with chippys than any other kind of food outlet?
Childhood obesity? And councils flogging off playing fields to developers doesn't contribute I suppose! And what about parental responsibility for their children's health? Oh wait, forgot where I am! Obviously that's a central government issue.
Anti-social behavior? I presume this is because the typically lengthy evening opening hours attract the local "yoofs"? And a 7-11 or newsagents wouldn't? I suppose a newsagent would only sell healthy food to children as well because they're never stocked full of crisps, chocolate or sugar-laden fizzy drinks are they???
Perhaps this councillor whouldn't object to an off licence instead? No food preparation on site, so no rats, no unhealthy deep-fried foods and only mature*, over-18s** as patrons!
* Subjective, I know
** Ok, that's more a theoretical or aspirational figure!
(Anon,8:36)
ReplyDeleteA gay bar or a brothel would surely attract even fewer rodents (except, perhaps, those who work for local Councils)?
Hi - I run a chippy in Notts, Fishshops causing obesity is crap, we hardly see kids these days, its Macdonald's and BK they like, and look what publicity they get.Fish n Chips, when done right, is still the nations favorite takeaway
ReplyDeletePublished figures for Takeaways Fat per 100g
* Fish & Chips = 9.4g
* Cheese & Tomato Pizza = 10.3g
* Chicken Tikka Masala & Pilau Rice = 11.0g
* Donor Kebab Pitta & Salad = 16.2g
Source: British Health Foundation