Portobello chip shop owner offers more than 4,000 free kids meals to local community

Harem Murdochy, who owns St Andrews Restaurant and Takeaway on Portobello’s High Street has approached local schools in the area with an offer to provide a hot dish to families which are in receipt of free school meals.

The two high schools in the area and four primary schools in the area have all been approached with the offer.

Additionally, each school has been given vouchers worth £100 for the Boathouse Bar and Restaurant which Harem also owns as a thank you to hardworking teachers who have continued their classes during lockdown.

Harem, whose own children attend Duddingston Primary said: “We know that a lot of our customers are having a tough time. Many have lost their jobs or are furloughed.

“This is a time for everyone to pull together and we wanted to do our bit to help those families that are most in need.”

The free kids meal offer runs until the end of April but Harem says he is prepared to extend it for as long as the current situation continues.

With 100 years of history behind it and one of the oldest chippies in the Capital, the seaside fish and chip shop which Harem owns has been voted the Chippy of the Year by Evening News readers in both 2018 and 2019, retaining the title as due to Covid-19 awards were not hosted in 2020.

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