Diss fish and chip shop Baileys brings back its generous festive freebie

A takeaway is to keep up its annual tradition of Christmas generosity by giving away free fish and chips to the hungry.

Baileys Fish and Chip Shop, which is run by Cengiz Bolat, in Shelfanger Road, will be giving away free meals on Christmas Day so that nobody has to go hungry or eat alone.

“We have been offering it for quite a few years now and it has become a popular tradition in Diss,” said 47-year-old Mr Bolat.

“We wanted to make sure that nobody eats alone or spends Christmas hungry.

“We think that we will serve more meals than ever this year due to rising bills and the cost-of-living crisis.

“It has become a tradition each year and a way to give back to our supportive customers.

“We also offered a free meal of sausage and chips at Hallowe’en to those who came in fancy dress.’

Mr Bolat credits the support of the community as one of the three key reasons why his chip shop has become so popular.

“Taste is everything, and hard work has also been a key to our success, but, most of all, the community here has brought us our success,” he said.

“That’s why we’re always happy to give something back to them to repay that support.”

Baileys Fish and Chip Shop normally serves upwards of 60 free meals during its Christmas giveaway, with customers invited to pick anything they want from the menu.

Homeless people have been known to pick up a free meal, but also those who are struggling financially, or the elderly, have dropped by in the eight years since Baileys started its offer.

Customers do not need to call ahead to place an order. Simply turn up at the shop between noon and 4pm.