Wisbech Jolly Fryer will close for two days due heat

The Jolly Fryer in North End, Wisbech, confirmed it will shut tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, following what it described as a “difficult, but necessary” decision after extensive internal discussions.

In a statement shared with customers on the shop's Facebook page, the team said the move was made to avoid the risk of having to close at short notice if conditions became unmanageable.

They highlighted the physical toll of working in a hot kitchen environment, including exhaustion and headaches, noting that while many jobs are demanding, the well-being of staff had to come first.

The business, which operates with a small team, said it does not have the capacity to rotate staff shifts to reduce exposure to the heat, unlike larger operations.

It also pointed to the logistical challenges of managing stock, explaining that sudden closures could lead to significant food waste — something it said it could not afford.

Most importantly, the statement stressed concerns about asking staff, some of whom have underlying health issues, to work in extreme temperatures.

The business will remain open all day today (Thursday) to give customers more opportunity to visit ahead of the temporary closure.

Describing the decision as not taken lightly, the team said it believes the move is in the best interests of staff and asked for public understanding.

Temperatures across Cambridgeshire are expected to rise significantly over the coming days, prompting health warnings about working in high heat conditions.