A daughter has fulfilled her father's last wish that she return to run his former fish and chip shop in Rackheath – and the new business is proving very popular.

A daughter has fulfilled her father's last wish that she return to run his former fish and chip shop in Rackheath – and the new business is proving very popular.

Sue Mace, now 47, was just a girl when her father Maurice Mace ran the fish and chip shop in Salhouse Road, but she has returned with partner Ian Greenwood to take it on.

The shop was closed for a complete re-fit from April and has now opened as a modern-looking shop.

The pair aim to open a coffee shop next door in February to further enhance community facilities, and Miss Mace said they were also looking to widen the menu and get children involved in a cooking session at the coffee shop.

She said: 'I grew up in the business as my father used to run it. It was always his wish that I would run it one day.

'Unfortunately, he passed away a few years back but I am completing his wish, and my mum has been a great support and enjoys coming in to help out when we are busy.'

She said she had been overwhelmed by the support from the village since they opened.

'Each week, new people are coming into the shop, saying that they have been told the quality of the fish and chips is excellent and they are coming in to give us a try,' she added.

'One phone call in particular from a local man sticks out in my mind. He called after we had been open for just three days and left a message congratulating us on the best chips he had ever tasted.'

Miss Mace was trained in Leeds by the National Federation of Fish Friers and held staff training sessions with the chairman of the local federation.

She said: 'It's all been designed to help us to achieve our goal of providing the very best fish and chips. We try to put a special fish of the month on, and this month's is turning out to be very popular with many customers trying different types of fish and loving it.

'We have supported a local quiz and chip night and we are now actively seeking to sponsor a local youth football team.

'We have listened to the community and arranged a pensioners' special meal on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes, which is going down really well.'

Have you got a good business story to tell? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk

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