Burnley pub owner to sell 1p chicken wing and chip meals

Andy MacDonald, who owns Ships and Giggles in Burnley, will be selling chicken wings and chip meals from October.

It’s not the first time the pub owner has introduced the deal across his business and he sold 1p meals at his Preston business with the same name.

He introduced this measure after the Government brought in the rule that you could not drink in a pub without a substantial meal.

Andy Macdonald

Andy said the move helped his business survive lockdown.

Andy said: “When we did it in Preston my accountant said the scheme would cost a lot of money – but I told him I didn’t have anything to lose so let’s see what happens.”

The Ships and Giggles team ended up making over 30,000 meals -  15,000 which he delivered to familied in need.

He explained: “I got a lot of donations and support to support the business and buy the chicken when I didn’t even ask for it.

“Families said they got to take the kids out – something which they couldn’t afford to do before."

While it was a move that saved his business, Andy added that it also “made many people happy” and it also saved Andy too.

He said: “The biggest thing for me in the pandemic was my mental wellbeing, feeling helpless and not being able to keep busy.

“The one penny meals set off a spark in me and my team I was actually at work and it kept me busy.”

Andy added that the scheme “saw [him] through the worst time in [his] life” after his Burnley nightclub was set on fire in arson attack just before the pandemic hit.

The scheme was so significant in his life that he knew it had to be introduced to his new Burnley venue.

• READ MORE: Ships and Giggles in Burnley reopening as a pirate-themed bar
• READ MORE: Burnley nightclub owner speaks out over 'targeted arson'

Andy explained: “The penny meals are the reason Ships and Giggles is still alive so I knew I had to bring the deal to Burnley.

“The thing that really triggered it though was the news surrounding the refugees.

“Straight away I thought that this would be the perfect time to bring back the penny meals; if any refugees come here they can have an affordable meal.”

Andy wants to add that the penny won’t represent the quality of the food itself.

He said: “We put a lot of effort into cooking and marinating them and the chicken isn’t cheap.

“I take a lot of pride in my chicken; it’s fresh from the butchers and locally sourced.”

Andy and the team will also be introducing themed nights with the chicken, complete with thematic music.

Here is the full list of themed nights on the agenda: 

Thursday: Jamaican Thursday
Jamaican related music from the classics to the remixes.
Jamaican Jerk chicken wings and chips.

Friday: Motown Chicken
Northern Soul and Motown music with marinated chicken wings and chips.

Saturday: American Chicken
Classic rock and roll music with American southern fried chicken wings and chips. 

Sunday: Cheesy Chicken
All your cheesy hits. Chicken comes with a special melted cheese on the side. 
 

Andy has “no intentions” of the scheme ending for the foreseeable future.

He added: “I hope people get excited by it and are eager to come in, enjoy the surroundings and eat some good food”.

The 1p chicken and chips scheme will launch on October 1 and it will run Thursday- Sunday.

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