Takings at a popular fish & chip shop in Milton Keynes have taken a battering after the business was forced to shut up shop for two months.
Westfriers Fish and Chip shop - located at the Westcroft District Centre - had already ordered a new cooking range when their present range failed in mid-October.
Owner Cam Tu Lowery, who runs the business with her brother Gary, closed the doors on her chippy and awaited the new equipment.
But a short pause in trading turned into weeks of frustration after delays by gas supplier EDF. After eight weeks of no movement, the family were worried about the survival of their business.
Cam Tu said: “We were worried that it at risk and felt very let down. There was a chance that we would have to close permanently. We had financial support from our family to cover the rent of the unit, and ther bills that continue to mount up whether or not the shop is open.
“We couldn’t afford to have continued in the same way for another month or two.”
MKFM contacted EDF and the company has confirmed that the necessary work will now be carried out on Friday.
"We have been assisting Miss Lowery with the installation of a large capacity gas meter which has unfortunately taken slightly longer than we would hope,” said a spokesperson for EDF, “This is due to confusion caused by the documentation required to ensure the gas supply needed safely supports the customer's needs. We are pleased to say that the installation has been booked in to take place in the next few days.”
Cam Tu is now hoping to be back behind the counter this weekend.
"We want to thank MKFM for helping to resolve this issue. We are so grateful," she said, "Our customers have been amazingly supportive too, and we can't wait to welcome them back."
