Whilst the rest of the Country enjoyed their traditional Fish & Chips on Good Friday, "Ocean Fresh" the top class takeaway in Montpelier Avenue, Bexley was not allowed to open and give the locals the opportunity of joining the tradition

It would appear that all of the other Fish & Chip Shops in Bexley Village, Albany Park and Sherwood Park Avenue were open and happily trading, as were the other adjacent shops in Montpelier Avenue ie Butchers, Hairdressers, Bakers and Convenience Store and the Dry Cleaners were probably only shut because they were fitting a new shop window.

It is very hard to understand why Bexley Council will not allow Good Friday opening, and even an Appeal application to open on Good Friday in June 2007 was refused

It is even harder to accept the reasons for the refusal of the Appeal by the Inspector who apparantly stated that the condition seeks to prevent the opening on Good Friday which is a traditional day when most shops and businesses are closed and residents would expect to enjoy a greater degree of peace and quiet whilst in their homes

(How many shops are closed on Good Friday in Monteplier Avenue and Bexley area generally ? - not too many we suspect - certainly not most)

The Inspector added that, moreover, it seems that noise and disturbance generated on that day would be more noticeable because background noise would be lower at a time when other activities that take place on a Weekday or Saturday are curtailed or reduced

(The Fish & Chip Shop was the only compulsary closed shop in Montpelier Avenue on Good Friday - was background noise lower than normal ?)

It is no secret that some local Bexley Council Councillors use the shop as it is a very reputable establishment providing good food, well run and orderly and it is generally agreed that there is no noise, disturbances or smell

Let us hope that common sense will prevail and that next Good Friday we can report that we joined the rest of the Country with the opportunity of having Fish & Chips from our favourite shop