A fish and chip shop is thought to be the first business to become a warm bank in the Dorset Council area.

Fish ‘n’ Fritz in Weymouth will be opening its restaurant doors to help those struggling to keep warm this winter.

Staff will be turning the heating on early and serving free tea and toast every Thursday from November 24, between 9am to 11am, for those struggling with the cost of heating their homes. 

Owner of Fish ‘n’ Fritz, Paul Hay, said: “We will be turning our heating on early every Thursday before we officially open, to provide a welcoming warm space for those who are struggling with the very stark choice between heating and eating this winter.”

Warm Spaces or Warm banks are safe places with the heating turned on, where people can go to get warm in the winter when they cannot afford to heat their homes. 

Dorset Echo:

Fish ‘n’ Fritz is believed to be the first commercial premises to join local councils, charities, libraries, museums and NHS services to provide free Warm Welcome Spaces in the Dorset Council area.

Paul Hay added: “We may be the first commercial premises in the Dorset Council area to provide a warm space under the Warm Welcome Initiative, but with 68 per cent of people in the south west fighting to make ends meet, we hope many more individuals and businesses will open their doors and bring communities together this winter.”

Local business Real Impression Renovations will provide support towards the cost of running the warm bank.

Real Impression Renovations owner, Max Rayworth, said: “It is hard to hear the stories from the local people I meet every day, who are facing difficulties this winter.

"So, when I heard Fish ‘n’ Fritz were starting their Warm Space initiative, I was pleased to get involved with sponsorship.”

The National Energy Action (NEA) – a fuel poverty charity - said 11,400 winter deaths are already caused by cold weather each year and with the cost of heating rising to an all-time high, this figure is set to rise this year.  It is being hailed as a public health emergency.

Mr Hay added: “Fish ‘n’ Fritz is a welcome, warm space for everyone, so please do not hesitate to step through our restaurant door on Thursday mornings from 9am to 11am. We are looking forward to meeting everyone over a warm cuppa.”