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86
FRIED FISH SHOPS.
Considerable attention has been given during the year to the condition
of the Fried Fish Shops. A report was made to the Public Health
Committee on their condition and also a special report in regard to the
Empire Fried Fish Shop, No. 285 Borough High Street, which will be
interesting as shewing the method which has been applied to several of
the fried fish shops in the district during the year.
The "Empire" Fish Frying Shop, 285, Borough High Street.
In regard to fried fish shops generally, the London County Council
in its General Powers Act of 1908, Section 9, have power to make by-laws
for the regulation of the business of a vendor of fried fish. The London
County Council have not yet framed by-laws, and, therefore, it is impossible
to say with certainty what will be the requirements of the by-laws
when issued. Under sub-section 6 of Section 9, the by-laws will not
impose "upon any person any obligation to alter any premises which are
at the passing of this Act used for the business of a vendor of fried fish,"
but "if at any time after the passing of this Act any alteration of any
such premises or of any fittings or apparatus therein shall be effected or
if any new fittings or apparatus shall be placed or provided therein such
alteration shall be carried and such new fittings or apparatus shall be
placed and provided in conformity with the requirements of any such bylaw
as aforesaid for the time being in force,''
The ideal fish shop in my opinion would be one in which the frying
portion of the business, i.e., the furnace and the fish pans, etc., were in a
separate room at the back of the shop completely enclosed, the upper part
of the enclosure being of framed glass; an exit and an entrance door and
a small serving hatch being provided. The furnaces would be placed at
each end of the frying structure, the pans to be made of steel widely
flanged, with a hood projecting well over the sides and ends of the frying
apparatus and brought low down; the sides of the hood converging to an
apex at the top communicating with a flue which is brought down so as
to terminate at the hearth of the furnace.
In the case in question of the "Empire" fish shop, where the frying
apparatus is in the middle of the shop, I would advise the whole apparatus
being enclosed by a wood and glass partition with entrance and
exit doors, and a small serving hatch; the fumes being taken from the
top of the hood by means of a ventilating shaft 12 inches in diameter and
terminating just above the roof, the upper end of the shaft being fitted
with a cowl. This, I am sure, would remove all the nuisance complained
of at the present time.