A chip shop has been ordered to remove a banner which hails it as the birthplace of the deep fried Mars bar.
The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, attracts tourists from around the world who want to try the recipe.
It proudly displays a banner on the side of the building claiming staff there invented the snack.
But Aberdeenshire Council has now said it must come down "for the good of the wider community".
The deep fried Mars bar has become synonymous with negative aspects of the Scottish diet since 1995 when the Daily Record reported on "Scotland's craziest takeaway" being served at the Stonehaven chippy, previously named The Haven.
"Sweet-toothed youngsters are ordering their favourite choc bars deep-fried in batter," the Record said.
By 2004, the reputation of the snack had travelled the Atlantic and it was mentioned on the Jay Leno Show in the US.
Mrs Watson said: "Thousands and thousands of tourists come from all over the world to purchase the deep fried Mars bar from the birthplace.
"They stand outside under the banner with their Mars bar, smiling from ear to ear, then go home and let all their friends and family see it.
"We have no idea why the council would want this banner taken down, bearing in mind it takes thousands of visitors to the town.
"Isn't that what we are trying to do? Aren't we trying to boost tourism in Scotland?"
Aberdeenshire Council issued Mrs Watson with the ban as part of a plan to smarten up business premises in the town.
A council letter sent to her said: "Following a thorough walkabout and inspection, an action plan has been drawn up.
"Many of the actions would fall to individual property owners and one of them relates to your property. What needs to be done: Remove banner."
They may take our lives, but they'll never take
They may take our lives, but they'll never take
our deep fried Mars bar banner!!!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: They may take our lives, but they'll never take
At first I thought this was the story of big candy manufacturer stomping on the little sweets shop, but it is a town shooting itself in the foot in search of "ye olde confescioun shoppe".
Re: They may take our lives, but they'll never take
In fairness to the council, that banner is hideous. Surely they could compromise on the manner of signage?
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
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oldr_n_wsr
- Posts: 10838
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 am
Re: They may take our lives, but they'll never take
I've been to more than a few "county fairs" and I can assure you that the deep fried mars bar has been around for quite some time before 1995.
Deep fried "anything" is the staple of county fairs.
Scottland claiming to be the birthplace is just not accurate.
Deep fried "anything" is the staple of county fairs.
Scottland claiming to be the birthplace is just not accurate.