‘Odour Complaints’ Close Five-Month-Old Clerkenwell Chippy

Clerkenwell chip shop United Chip has closed for the remainder of the summer due to “odour complaints.”

The restaurant has released a short statement on its website and on the window of the premises, which reads:

Due to odour complaints from local residents we have had to close the shop for the remainder of the summer, while we address the problem. We hope to reopen soon. Thank you for your support. United Chip

Kitchen extraction is often a thorny issue for fish and chip restaurants: if residents repulsed by the waft of vinegar, dripping and grease, or just spoiling for a silly fight, environmental health officers can begin legal proceedings. A similar situation closed firebrand chef Tom Aikens’ fish and chip shop back in 2008 — Yotam Ottolenghi’s new restaurant, Rovi, has also struggled with extraction problems, but is now back open.

United Chip opened February this year, drawing measured plaudits for its sustainable approach to fish, chips, and packaging alongside its range of unique seasonings and sauces: a kelp powder and a “far too bloody good” curry sauce particularly tickled critic Jay Rayner. It was also described as a “vinegary opium den,” which could explain recent developments.

There is currently no timeline for reopening, nor an indication of how far the complaints have been escalated.

Eater has contacted United Chip for further comment.