Chinese visitors seeking to sample British tradition usually flock straight to our stately homes and royal palaces.
But one unlikely stop-off has now joined the ranks of must-see locations for tourists from the Far East – a chippy just outside York.
Scotts fish and chip restaurant, on the A64 at Bilbrough, has become so popular with coachloads of Chinese tourists that it has translated its menu into Cantonese and Mandarin. It has even put its web page on China’s blogging site Weibo.
Scotts Fish and Chips in Yorkshire is welcoming hundreds of Chinese visitors, who travel to the eatery by coach
Scotts’ manager, Roxy Vasai, said: ‘We look out for a coach and when they’re coming we shout ‘they’re here, there are 20, 30, 40, let’s make it ready for them’
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Owner Tony Webster says he gets more than 100 Chinese visitors a week, who take a break from visiting York, Castle Howard and other historic sites to dine – and take countless selfies – as part of their cultural experience of Britain.
He gives credit for the boom to an unlikely source – former prime minister David Cameron. When Chinese president Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Britain in 2015, Mr Cameron took him for a fish and chip supper at a pub near Chequers in Buckinghamshire.
Mr Xi’s fellow-countrymen were left eager to try the traditional British delicacy for themselves. ‘It is a funny sight to behold, they come in and take pictures of the restaurant, pictures of themselves, pictures of their meal and then pictures of them eating their meal,’ Mr Webster said.
Roxy Vasai, manager of Scott’s Chip Shop, near York, said that members of staff wait at the window to count the number of tourists departing from coaches
The menu available for Chinese visitors dining at the popular chippy has been translated into Cantonese and Mandarin
Full house: hungry tourists tuck into classic British deep-fried fare in north Yorkshire
‘They stick to eating cod and chips, but like to take pictures of our desserts.
‘They love pop stars and politicians, so when Cameron was seen with their president eating fish and chips, it was something they wanted to try for themselves. They do love vinegar and they are always happy and finish their meals.’
When Mr Xi dined with Mr Cameron, he also tried Greene King IPA, causing a surge in demand in China for English bitter. So some of the Chinese visitors also order beer. ‘We’re fully licensed. The best seller is a pint of Yorkshire bitter to go with their proper Yorkshire fish and chips – they absolutely love it,’ Mr Webster said.
Most do not drink alcohol, however. ‘They generally want hot water because they bring their own Chinese tea, and it’s generally tea leaves rather than tea bags,’ he added.
In 2015, then Prime Minister David Cameron shared a pint and fish and chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a pub near Chequers, Buckinghamshire
Scotts’ social media presence in China means tour operators contact him direct to book tables. Coach parties usually give him between six hours and two days’ notice so staff can have enough portions of cod and chips ready.
They haggle in advance over the price. Mr Webster often offers a discounted rate of £9.50 for an 8oz cod and chips.
Manager Roxy Vasai said the Chinese visitors are ‘smiley, friendly and happy’, adding: ‘We are getting more and more through the doors, it’s crazy sometimes.’ One tour operator said: ‘We visit Scotts here because it is a nice venue, the staff are friendly and we get to taste the fish and chips of Britain.
‘Familiarisation trips allow our culture to get accustomed to the way British people live. Fish and chips is different from what we are used to, but we enjoy it and Scotts always look after us.’
Tempting: A serving of fish, chips and mushy peas at Scotts Fish and Chip Shop, York
The British chippy is being overrun by hundreds of Chinese tourists after bus operators added it to a route – because it is near a venue where a Taiwanese popstar got married
There can be problems, however. Yesterday a coach party of Chinese arrived unexpectedly and had to be turned away as the restaurant could not cater for them.
Large groups of Chinese tourists have also caused a stir in the Oxfordshire village of Kidlington. They stroll the streets after being taken there to get a ‘true sense’ of England following visits to nearby Bicester Village outlet shopping centre and Blenheim Palace.