A beloved Birmingham fish and chip shop is turning back the clock with a one-day-only offer that harks back to a bygone era of affordable treats.
A Blast from the Past for 20p
Nassar Iqbal, affectionately known as 'Uncle Nas', will be serving cones of chips for just 20p at his Hot Spot shop in Billesley on Wednesday, January 14. The special price will be available between 3pm and 5pm, offering a taste of a simple pleasure many of today's youth have never experienced.
Uncle Nas, a fixture of the local hospitality scene for over two decades, opened Hot Spot in 2004. He told Birmingham Live that the idea was born from conversations with his younger followers on social media. "The kids that follow us on TikTok have no idea that chips used to be 20p," he said, reminiscing about sneaking out of school in the 1980s for a cheap, salty, vinegary snack.
Bridging Generations Through Food
The aim of the promotion is twofold: to provide a nostalgic trip for older customers and to introduce a brand-new, affordable experience to a younger generation. Uncle Nas hopes to give his younger clientele a taste of Britain's national dish at a traditional price point.
However, the owner is candid about the economic realities facing the industry. He confirmed that maintaining such a low price indefinitely is impossible in 2026. "Potatoes, oil and gas prices have gone up, cod prices in particular are ridiculous. That's why chip shops are in decline," he explained, noting that younger people now often gravitate towards trends like smash burgers instead.
Building Community in a Digital Age
Despite the challenges, Hot Spot has found a vibrant new audience online. The shop's TikTok account has amassed over a million likes and attracted nearly 30,000 followers. For Uncle Nas, a born-and-bred Brummie, this digital presence has become a tool for positive community building in the face of wider societal issues.
"There's so much hate going around... and I wanted to just use it to pass positive messages," he stated. Through social media, the shop shares stories of its loyal patrons and its place in the community, fostering a sense of connection that transcends the counter.
While acknowledging that price rises are inevitable in a tough market, Uncle Nas remains committed to looking after his local area for as long as possible. This Wednesday's 20p chip offer stands as a warm, greasy, and wonderfully simple gesture from a community stalwart.
