From fish to chips! Trevor Smith plans to spend more time on the golf course and with family after closing popular Long Sutton eaterie Henry’s
After more than four decades in the business Trevor Smith has had his chips.
The owner of popular Long Sutton fish and chip shop Henry’s served his final portions on Thursday, after deciding to retire from the eaterie he has run since 2003.
“I am really sad as I’ll miss the customers,” said Trevor, whose wife Linda kept the books..
“But my wife deserves a bit more of a life, and to see me as well. And the grandkids.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Trevor will still be working on his chips as he plans to spend more time at Sutton Bridge Golf Club, but confesses he’ll still be enjoying his favourite meal.
“I have been told I’ve got to cut back on fish and chips as I’m a diabetic, and I have cut down to about four times a week from six times a week,” he said.
“I’ve been on holiday and had chips for my breakfast, put it that way.
“Now I’m retiring I’ll cut down a bit as the temptation won’t be there as much. I’ll just nip in every time I go past.”
Trevor began life in the chippy business as a 13-year-old peeling potatoes before working full time after leaving school.
When former boss Ralph Stott sold his business Trevor spent three months working at Geest in Sutton Bridge before being lured back to help new owners, eventually taking on the venue and renaming it Henry’s 20 years ago.
“I know nothing else really,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it. Ninety-nine per cent of the customers have been brilliant.”
Trevor says ‘red tape’ and ‘prices going through the roof’ have been the biggest changes he has seen in his industry.
“When I first started fish and chips were six-and-a-half pence. Now they’re £8.20.
“In 2002 a box of fish was £30, now it’s over over £200. A ton of potatoes was £40. Now it’s over £500.”
Fish and chips will continue to be sold at Henry’s site as the lease has been taken over by a new business, understood to be Holbeach’s Central Fish Bar.
However, the chippy is currently shut for refurbishments.