London’s oldest fish and chip shop (they claim) – Rock & Sole Plaice – has its sights set on major expansion with three new London sites planned and outposts being considered in Manchester, Birmingham and even the Middle East. Four shops are expected over the next five years, initially in Soho, London Bridge and St Pancras, with another location to be announced.

The original – a Covent Garden fixture since 1871 – combines a restaurant with al fresco seating and take away. As the company expands, however, these two parts of the business will split into Rock & Sole Plaice Kitchen for dining and RSP Express for those on the hoof.

Rock & Sole Plaice has long been listed in Harden’s, although some reporters feel the rather touristy spot has been ‘coasting’ in recent years. How will this new expansion affect standards?

According to Caterer & Hotelkeeper, owners Ahmet and Ali Ziyaeddin – who have helmed the Covent Garden chippy for 35 years – have decided to grow the business thanks to a recently secured round of investment through BGB Capital Partners. The brothers believe fish and chips are ‘making a strong statement in the market’ and that their offering is ‘well placed to expand…already having the infrastructure of a centralised kitchen’.

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