The Cod's Scallops to open in Birmingham

The Cod’s Scallops is opening a new 40 seater restaurant and takeaway in Harborne, southwest Birmingham.

The high street location will sell the same wide selection of fish and seafood as its four other sites, as well as a range of specials once the business has established itself.

Formerly a post office, the building is currently an empty shell and is undergoing a complete renovation, including the installation of mains gas this week.

Owner John Molnar hopes to have the new addition open by the middle to end of September, creating around 15-20 new full and part-time jobs.

John comments: “I’ve been back and forth with this location and shop for a while. I first looked at it after the first lockdown but I was quite twitchy because of the situation. But I’ve always had a really good feel about it, it’s got a lot of chimney pots around it, the high street has a great mix of shops and the food scene in Harborne is strong with some really good operators. There’s the Harborne Kitchen, The Plough Pub, a great Cantonese called Henry Wong, and Giggling Squid have just come in at the top of the high street.

“It’s positive for the industry and positive for hospitality. People see new openings and it gives them confidence.”

John has brought in a designer to help with the new location, adding: “I want it still to look like The Cod’s Scallops as I’m conscious that my business has been built around fish, chips, mushy peas and a cup of tea with a good mix of takeaway trade at lunchtime and restaurant trade at night. But I want to evolve the look and feel of it and just refine it a little.”

The Cod’s Scallops currently has three restaurants and takeaways in Nottingham and one in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

In 2020, the Mansfield Road branch won Best Fish & Chip Takeaway at The National Fish and Chip Awards.