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- Behind The Business Larco Barrheads Beloved Chippy
Behind the Business: L’Arco, Barrhead’s Beloved Chippy
L’Arco has been part of the town’s food scene for years, but in the hands of its current owners, it’s grown into something even more special.
We caught up with Saphira to hear more about their journey—from taking over their neighbourhood chippy to becoming a trusted name in the community.
A Local Legacy, Reimagined
“We’ve been in business for 35 years,” Saphira shares. “When our local chippy went up for sale, we jumped at the chance to have something in our own community.”
Since then, the L’Arco team has worked hard to refresh the space, keeping the charm that long-time locals love while modernising it just enough to give it new life. “It’s been an amazing journey. We’ve refurbed and refreshed but kept the special elements of the shop—L’Arco has been a family favourite for a long time and we hope to continue its legacy.”
More Than a Chippy—It’s Community
For Saphira and her team, it’s not just about food. “Getting to know all our customers is honestly one of the best parts. We love the interaction—making friends, being part of the community. We’ve been honoured to be involved in people’s special events, from christenings to birthdays, and sometimes just being there to lend an ear or have a nice chat.”
Working with a brilliant team has made all the difference too. “We work hard, but getting to come into work with amazing people makes it fun. We've made so many memories together.”
Barrhead: A Town That Looks Out for Each Other
Saphira describes the local vibe perfectly: “There’s a traditional element—like our fish and chips!—where everyone knows your name and looks out for one another.”
From neighbours watching the shop when the team’s away to customers who always pop in for a catch-up, Barrhead has a way of making everyone feel like family. “There’s never a dull day here, something’s always happening—but you don’t get this sense of community anywhere else.”
A Few Proud Moments (and a Lot of Vinegar)
When asked what makes her proud, Saphira doesn’t hesitate:
“We’re proud every day of one another for working so hard to make it happen. Winning Independent Business of the Year was amazing, and raising money for the Include Me 2 Club meant so much to us. Oh—and being voted Best Bag of Chips by the local Scouts? That was a special one!”
As for a fun fact? “We say ‘salt and vinegar?’ in our sleep. I actually did the maths once—we go through at least 1,000 litres of vinegar a year. That’s a lot of vinegar!”
Homemade, Always
Everything at L’Arco is made fresh daily. From hand-rolled pizza dough and homemade sauces to freshly peeled potatoes and creamy mac and cheese, the team is in the shop as early as 7am to prep it all from scratch.
“I don’t think anyone actually knows how much work goes on behind the scenes, but we do it to make sure the quality’s always there. It matters to us.”
