Sheffield: Chip shop owner selling up after 45 years

Despite forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic and soaring prices in recent years because of the war in Ukraine, about 10,500 fish and chip shops remain open for business in the UK according to the body that represents the industry, the Leeds-based National Federation of Fish Friers.

That figure is about eight times higher than the number of McDonald’s restaurants.

“Everyone tells you everything in a chip shop, it’s like a hairdressers,” says Robert’s wife of 27 years and business partner, Helena.

“We have lovely customers, they have been coming in a long time – people from London who come back, people from Australia who have moved out who come back and visit.

“We have old people who come with their plates and their knives and forks and flasks. They bring their plates in and sit in their car and eat.”

Robert’s tales from thousands of shifts behind the counter include a colourful incident when he ended up covered in ketchup after he found himself in the middle of an argument between a member of his staff and his partner.

“I walked in and thought he was bleeding – the kids were screaming,” recalls Helena with a smile.

On another occasion, one unhappy customer, a little worse for wear, smashed a glass panel in the entrance door after the shop had run out of mushy peas.

They returned the next day to apologise.

Habits may change – Robert no longer sells as many pies as he once did and his opening hours have been sliced as “people don’t go out like they used to” – but the tradition of a chippy tea from Tony’s has been part of life in Mosborough for more than 100 years.

“I don’t know what we are going to do when he goes,” says another regular customer, Linda Aldis, while she waits in the queue during the lunchtime rush.

A community notice board hangs on the wall behind her as the freshly stocked counter keeps customers warm while they wait.