Hundreds support chippy as they give away free chips in Barry in 2023

Reporter Kasey Rees, visited the Fryer Tuck in Richard Street this afternoon to get some free chips. 

The local chippy hosted a ‘chip drop’ this afternoon between midday and 2pm as part of a campaign by vinegar company Sarsons dubbed ‘Fryday.’

Shoppers and locals were able to pick up as many free bags of chips as they could get their hands on as a Bank Holiday treat.

A passer-by who was queuing with her children was delighted to get some free chips and thought the idea of supporting local fish and chip shops was fantastic.

Queues form outside Fryer Tuck chippy (Image: newsquest)

Queue out the door for free chips at the Fryer Tuck. 

She said: “I think it's excellent, it's a nice little treat for children towards the end of the summer holidays.”

The traditional fish and chip shop was chosen by Sarsons to take part in its free chip giveaway, in a bid to support local chip shops to help stem the tide of chippy closures in just 12 months.

Fish and chips by the beach is a must on a summer bank holiday, and this year was no different as Fryer Tuck opened its doors at 11.30am to eager chip lovers.

Chris Christou, owner of Fryer Tuck, was delighted with the turnout, despite only having a week's notice to set up the event.

Sarson's vinegar is poured onto chips (Image: newsquest)

Sarson's vinegar poured on some delicious free chips. 

He said: “The turnout has been incredible; I mean we started at 11.30am off the bat the doors opened, and people came straight in asking for chips.

“It shows how the local media affects the area, and how well the community brings themselves together when things like this happen.

“We had a week's notice to do this, we send out three or four posts and just look at the turnout we have had already.”

Mr Christou said he was honoured that his business was chosen to participate in the Fryday campaign.

Chris Christou owner of Fryer Tuck was delighted with the turn out and support of his business (Image: newsquest)

Chris Christou owner of Fryer Tuck was delighted with the turnout and support of his business 

“It just goes to show that we are making a difference we are making some noise and we are heard," he said.

“We have had a great turnout, it's nice that people are not just coming here for the free chips that’s the bonus.

“They are still coming down here to buy their regular Friday meals and other products.

"It just shows that as much as I'm doing to support them with free chips, they are still happy to come up and support me.”

A Sarson's mascot was out handing out flyers to locals to support the 'chip drop' (Image: newsquest)

A Sarson's mascot was out handing out flyers to locals to support the 'chip drop'

Katy Holder, brand manager, Mizkan Euro said: “We were delighted to pop-up at Fryer Tuck today to support one of the town’s most-loved establishments, giving away free lunches to chip lovers across Barry.

"The queues down the street speak for how integral our chippies are to the community – and it was great to see hundreds of locals come down to support the cause”.