A fish bar owner has had to backtrack on his decision to open for business tomorrow.

Mehmet Kocabey, who runs the Felix Fish Bar and Grill in Wadgate Road, on Grange Farm, posted on social media he was re-opening tomorrow, Thursday, at 12pm.

But problems with stock delivery left him unsure they would be able to supply fresh fish and chips after all, however is considering opening next week instead..

The Felix fish bar and grill, in Wadgate Road, on Grange Farm, closed its doors on March 24 as the lock down came into effect, and Mr Kocabey defended his decision to open for business once again, whenever that is.

"The first thing to say is we care about our customers above all, this is not about the money' said Mr Kocabey. "It was out choice to close for two weeks because we felt it was the right thing to do. We have been told people want our food and we want to serve them.

"If the council, or whoever tells is to close, then we will, we will not do anything that is wrong.

"It could be that no-one comes and we will close anyway. We will see what the demand is and there is none, we will close the doors and turn the key once more."

Critics argue this goes against the principles of the government enforced lock down designed to stop the spread of Covid-19, as the death toll rises.

As of yesterday, 19 people had died in Ipswich Hospital alone from the Coronavirus in the past month, with the death toll nationally at 6,159, and there are 263 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Suffolk.

David Grimson, a self-employed tradesman from Felixstowe, is furious the chippy is reopening and called on the council to prevent it happening.

"I think it's disgusting that the owner is opening his doors," said Mr Grimson. "He clearly doesn't care about the community or his staff just wants the money.

"I'm a self-employed bathroom and kitchen fitter and a plumber, but due to current affairs I'm staying at home and only going out when its needed to 

"To open his doors is implying it's all ok when the death toll keeps rising. I think he should reconsider or the council to step in and say you are not opening - full stop."

The council does not have the authority to prevent takeaways from reopening or operating, but Felixstowe town mayor Nick Barber wants people to respect the social distancing rules and act in a safe and responsible way in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

"We can't order places to close down, that is down to the Government," said Cllr Barber. "With takeaways I don't see an issue if they are either delivering, or operating an order and collect service.

"We all crave a takeaway now and then, and indeed my son and I had a Domino's pizza but they delivered, and I would probably only have takeaways if was being delivered."

"There is quite a close community around where Felix fish bar is, so I imagine everyone will be walking there and picking up at the specified time, so I don't see a problem."

Mr Kocabey confirmed the Felix would be abiding by all guidelines and Covid-19 advice.

"We have seen other takeaways stay open. We have seen what shops like the Co-op and Tesco have done, so we will operate in a similar way.

"We want people to order ahead and collect at a certain time. We will only let a couple of people in at a time and we ask they stay two metres apart.

"We all want to stay safe, including me. We will have less staff than usual and stay as far apart as we can, and keep our distance from customers.

"People have to eat we want to be there for our customers."

Mr Gimson's views were echoed on social media, however supporters of the fish bar re-opening have vowed to use the service and will be

There is also a concern the fish bar will add to the temptation for people to travel to Felixstowe in their car, adding to the non-essential travel issues, this coming Easter weekend.

Cllr Barber though is confident that will not be the case as was demonstrated last weekend when visitors stayed away, despite the warm weather.

"I can't see that happening," said the Mayor. "People understand the issues and will keep away. The police will be out in force, as they were last weekend."

The Mayor is also keen to see people's mental health taken care of and understands people shopping in places like Underwoods, which he passed this morning and saw people patiently queuing for DIY materials.

He said: "It is a balance. If it helps with people mental health and wellbeing by varnishing the fence, or whatever then I see no problem.

"It boils down to people using their common sense, social distancing and that is the same at takeaways too."

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