Albany Park’s The Anchor fish and chips second marks anniversary

The story behind The Anchor’s success is as unique as the shop itself, combining traditional fish and chips with bold new ideas and a strong social media presence that has helped them bring in customers from all over the country as well as being a local favourite.

To thank his loyal customers, The Anchor’s owner, Ozan Bakic, is offering half-price fish and chips on Monday, November 18.

He told the News Shopper that “It’s just about saying thank you.

“In this day and age, with prices so high, it really hits you because everything is so expensive. But I believe everyone deserves it.

“We have people who keep coming back, some three to four times a week.

“People even travel from far away, so it’s always good to give back."

Ozan launched the takeaway two years ago with his wife while balancing his own career as an electrician.

At the time, he had no experience in the food industry but set out to create a family-friendly chippy for the Albany Park community.

The team includes mostly members of his family, but also others who “considers family” after becoming so close.

Determined to do things right from the start, Ozan invested hours of research into finding the best potatoes and the perfect batter recipe, experimenting daily to perfect his methods.

The hard work paid off when The Anchor began receiving rave reviews online, catching the attention of influencers and food enthusiasts alike.

Ozan told the News Shopper: “We started out with only a handful of locals and the majority of customers were over 50.

“It was great to have such loyal customers, but I wanted The Anchor to reach all ages and backgrounds, so we started these social media campaigns to try and draw in a younger crowd.”

One of Ozan’s biggest social media triumphs was the launch of his Golden Cod, a stunning fish fillet wrapped entirely in 24-carat gold leaf.

Ozan Bakici celebrated the first year anniversary of his chippy with a golden battered cod (Image: SWNS)

The golden cod, inspired by celebrity chef Salt Bae’s luxury dining concepts, became an instant sensation and is believed to be the first fully gold-wrapped fish in the UK.

What started as a special first year anniversary offering quickly turned into a social media phenomenon, with videos of the unique dish drawing millions of views.

This bold approach to traditional fish and chips has put Albany Park on the map and cemented The Anchor as one of Bexley’s most talked-about chippies.

Alongside the Golden Cod, The Anchor also features the “Instagram Platter,” a giant sampler of fish, chips, and sides that has become a favourite for those looking to capture the perfect foodie photo.

Despite the creativity on offer, Ozan takes great pride in maintaining the classic fish and chips standards that his regulars expect, carefully following a daily routine to ensure quality.

The team at the Anchor (Image: snvbae) He explained: “The batter has to be light and crisp, so we keep our oil perfectly clean and at a consistent temperature.

“If you don’t get it right, you end up with soggy fish. Every day, we make sure it’s as good as it can be.”

Influencers like Eating with Todd, who has over a million followers, have visited The Anchor, adding to its profile as a destination for foodies.

The chippie has recently earned the Good Food Award’s Blue Ribbon, not to mention a top-five nomination in the UK’s Best Newcomer Fish and Chip Shops from the National Federation of Fish Friers – with a the winner announced in February next year.

As The Anchor celebrates its second anniversary, it’s clear that Ozan’s dedication to quality, community, and creativity has made this chippy much more than just a local takeaway.