Newest chip shop trawling for staff

The Black Country's newest fish and chip restaurant has begun trawling for staff before it opens next month.

The Tannery Fish Bar in Walsall is inspired by the popular chain Harry Ramsden's and will include a large seating area.

Based in Day Street and near the Leather Museum, it will open on the site of a former car showroom in October. This computer-generated image shows the stylish interior planned at the premises, which will celebrate Walsall's rich leather-making heritage and landmarks.

It will have a feature wall decorated with a floor to ceiling photograph reflecting the borough's history.

The team behind Great Bridge-based Black Country Chippy, which has traded for 50 years as a take away, are behind the venture.

Owners Dean and Joanne Gilbert and Dale Sahota are now recruiting waiting staff for the 24-seater restaurant being created at a cost of £100,000 at the former Hamstead Garage.

Mr Sahota said: "We are ready to recruit and we are looking for at least six or seven table staff. This restaurant is different from our other business as this will be a sit-down venue.

"So we are looking for staff who are good with customers and experienced."

Customers who drive to the restaurant, particularly in the evenings, will be directed to the public car park opposite.

The enterprise was given the green light by the town's development committee earlier this year.

The Black Country Chippy was founded by Mrs Gilbert's grandfather Albert Walls and grandmother Margaret Porter. The family say they were the first to batter chips in the Black Country in the early 1950's for late night regulars to use up the remaining batter.

Prospective staff for the Tannery Fish Bar should contact 07703 575695.