Owners speak out about decision to leave much-loved fish and chip shop

Christ-offi!

Owners speak out about decision to leave much-loved fish and chip shop

The long-time owners of an Ilkeston fish and chip shop say that they can’t go on forever and that someone now needs to bring the much-loved institution into the “right century.” John and Flora Christofi, 74 and 70 respectively, recently announced that they were retiring after 36 years of running Johnny’s Fish Bar in Ilkeston.

The couple travelled to the UK from Cyprus and first lived in London, with John making wedding dresses and Flora working in a chippy from the age of 21.

The couple’s son, 15-year-old Yiannis, has become the shop’s latest “potato boy”, with their daughter Sophia, 18, spending a lot of time serving loyal customers during her studies at the University of Derby. Christina’s brother, Demetrios, 39, and his partner, Bronny, have also become part of the team at Johnny’s, trimming meat off the kebab turners and greeting locals with a smile.

But now, John and Flora have decided to shut up shop and hand over their treasured business to new owners, who they would like to introduce new features and bring Johnny’s up to date, such as introducing a website and delivery services, which John and Flora never quite got to grips with.

John said: “It’s sad in a way, but we can’t carry on forever. I’m 74 and my wife is 70 - I moved to England in 1973, her in 1953. We’ve got to let go sometime.”

Flora said: “We’ve had the same customers for all these years, the same ones. It’s beautiful, honestly.”

The couple, surrounded by cards, flowers, and chocolates from well-wishers, added that they have made many friends over the years, and people who have worked at Johnny’s rapidly become part of the family. They say that much of their time will be spent in their allotment behind their house during their well-earned retirement.

Christina said: “It’s sad and happy at the same time. Our customers are the best, we want to say thank you for all the kind messages, the cards, the flowers, the chocolates, and their patient queueing.

“There were the days during Covid that made us realise we should try more of a life work balance. It was nice to spend time with the children and Richard, and so we’ve opened for fewer hours since then. It’s a really good business, but hard work and hard hours. Somebody will have a really good business that they can take into the right century.”

Are you selling up due to retirement? Email austen@chippychat.co.uk