Bushey Fish Bar facing closure as flats plan emerges

Proposals submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council involve turning the Bushey Fish Bar unit in Sparrows Herne into four one-bed homes.

Owner Adam Azim, a father-of-four, first heard the news via the Watford Observer and said potentially having to close the Bushey “landmark” would be devastating for the community.

Adam Azim, second from right, has been left heartbroken over plans to turn Bushey Fish Bar into flats. (Image: Bushey Fish Bar) “They will be distraught,” he said. “A lot of people will be heartbroken because they rely on us. A lot of people get their lunches from here, their dinners from here.

“This a very warming place because we’ve left it as a traditional fish and chip shop.”

Bushey Fish Bar is in a terrace of buildings that were formerly shops with flats above, but over time most have been converted into homes. The only other nearby business left is Yaz Barber Shop next door.

In the planning application, the applicant claims “the leases to the shops are ending shortly and will not be renewed. Therefore the buildings will become vacant and it is highly unlikely that such units will be desirable for commercial tenants.”

It also says the scheme “will improve the surroundings by removing the stench from the fish and chip shop”.

Mr Azim, who has run the chippy for around five years, said he is “heartbroken”, seeking legal advice, and can’t bear to consider potentially having to shut.

“We’ve built the business and then all of a sudden, poof,” the 38-year-old said. “It feels like somebody’s put a weight on our shoulders and trying to crush us down, finish us off.

“I’ve got a family with four kids to support and this is all I do, it’s all I know.”

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The planning application was submitted last week and is still subject to approval by Hertsmere Borough Council.

There would be two flats upstairs and two downstairs, and the existing footprint of the building would be retained, according to the submission.

Access to the ground floor flats would be via Sparrows Herne while the second floor flats would be via a shared metal staircase to the rear.

The plans can be viewed in full on the Hertsmere planning portal by entering reference 24/1361/FUL.