'Soul-destroying': Glasgow chippy's plan to bounce back after fire

David Khan got involved in the family business, Ann's Fry, when he was 16.

The Gorbals institution, which has been feeding generations of locals, was ravaged by a fire last December.

Owner David Khan, his partner Jackie Bell and their son Danny Khan (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Owner David Khan, his partner Jackie Bell and their son Danny Khan (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Emergency crews rushed to the Crown Street venue which had to be evacuated after the chimney caught fire.

In response, the businessman was forced to shut the shop for renovations and bought a food truck to continue trading.

He said: "We just got the new van because we have been working all our lives and having two and a half months off was soul-destroying.

“It’s an idea I had for a few years now but I never got around to actually doing it.

“Because of the fire, it made me push for it.

“We had no income coming in, mortgages, bills, rent to be paid.

“Not working was just hard.

“We got the van and put it back into the community. We are trading in the Co-op car park until we get things set up properly.

“Then, we will be going around in the area."

Owner David Khan, his partner Jackie Bell and their son Danny Khan (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Following the launch of the new venture, residents were quick to show support for the chip shop, which has been serving fish suppers and more for 75 years.

Mr Khan represents the third generation in his family business and is working with his son Daniel, who will one day take over the reins.

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Following the recent hardships, he explained that it's overwhelming to serve the community once again.

The 54-year-old said: “It’s good to have the customers back. Everybody has been very supportive.

“It’s nice to see them and they are genuinely concerned because we are part of the community.

“We appreciate it.

“The business means the world to us."

The van, with its signature branding on the side and delicious food cooking on the inside, has been popular.

According to the owner, this is the power of the locals.

He added: “It’s picking up, by word-of-mouth.

“It’s a really beautiful community, everybody is so friendly.

“People get the wrong idea, because of the area, but it’s one of the nicest communities in the Southside of Glasgow."

Mr Khan went on to thank everybody for their support and praised the efforts of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

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He said: "On the Thursday morning, I got a phone call from my son that the shop was on fire because they were in there when it started.

“Everybody was okay due to the response of the fire brigade. They were so fast and professional, courteous and helpful.

“They managed to put it out in good time and save most of the shop."

Work to fix the damaged sections began early this week and is expected to be finished in six to eight weeks, at which point staff and management hope to move back into the building.

The businessman said: “Construction started on Tuesday and that is stage one, securing the roof after it was damaged due to the heat. There is a new roof going on.

“Phase two is the inside, the electrics, plumbing and decorations."