Little Chef’s happy as credit crunch bites ...

11:30am Sunday 24th August 2008

KNUTSFORD is well-known for its array of fine restaurants and eateries serving everything from Italian to Chinese.

But the Little Chef, which is located just off the M6 at Tabley, believes those feeling the effects of the credit crunch are choosing their restaurant instead.

“I reckon they might be struggling because we’re getting their customers,” said manager Clare Dootson.

“I think we are getting people who perhaps don’t want to spend so much on a meal.”

Sales at Little Chefs throughout the North West rose by eight per cent this summer.

Bosses think more people are holidaying in Britain and using the nation’s road network.

Miss Dootson said Knutsford Little Chef had been doing even better than since the start of the year She said good service, a new menu and the end of roadworks on the A556 had all helped.

“We’ve now got a Thai curry, which is really popular, and we’ve brought back some of the old favourites, like scampi and prawn cocktail, which we’ve not had for years,” she said.

“Before we didn’t have any alcohol other than one beer but now we’ve got a range of wines and beers so we can compete with the pubs.”

But she said even Little Chef, which sells haddock and chips or lasagne for £6.99, was feeling the effect of the credit crunch. “We have noticed that instead of Olympic breakfasts, costing £7, people are choosing the Early Starter, at £5.95,” she said.

Last week customers dining at the Little Chef in Tabley explained why they were there.

“It’s such an easy place to come to and it’s always nice and the food’s good,” said Roger Godfrey, 70, from Cheadle, who was meeting his twin sister before a joint birthday party.

“When I’m travelling it’s somewhere I’ll often stop.”

Bill Lockett, 63, who was travelling to Stoke-on-Trent from Kendal, said he thought people were trying to cut the cost of eating out.

“I think there’s definitely something in that, especially for families,” he said.

“It can be very expensive to go out for a meal.”

But at least two restaurants in Knutsford said they did not worry about competition from the Little Chef. “I thought they’d all closed down,” said Sue Connor, manager of the Angel pub in King Street.

“Where is it?”

The Angel’s prices are comparable with Little Chef - lasagne is £6.20 and meat and potato pie is £6.55.

“If you’re going out for a meal you wouldn’t choose to go to a Little Chef,” said Mrs Connor.

“It’s probably somewhere I’d stop if I were on the motorway.”

The assistant manager at Loch Fyne in Regent Street said her restaurant had not been affected by a slowdown in the economy.

“I don’t think the credit crunch affects places like Knutsford and Alderley Edge,” she said.

“I know some places in Manchester are dead because their menus are too expensive.”

But she said Loch Fyne was doing well - despite the success of the Little Chef.

“I think we’re completely different restaurants,” she said.