It’s been serving the community of St Clears with traditional, tasty fish and chips for more than 50 years.
And now Neil’s Fish and Chip shop has new owners Ricky and Hanna Jones who, thanks to a loan from Development Bank of Wales, will continue to ensure that the locals and tourists can enjoy top quality fish and chips.
The six figure loan has enabled the new owners to purchase this existing business and the adjoining premises.
Ricky has always wanted to run his own business, especially in the food trade, and is excited to be taking over such a successful, well-established business that has been feeding the St Clear’s community and its visitors since 1962.
He and Hanna don’t intend to change the business and plan to keep the name of the shop the same, as well as the suppliers and the staff.
He said: “The potatoes, the fish, it’s all come from the same suppliers as before. My motto is ‘If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it’ so we’ll be maintaining the same high standards and delivering the quality our customers are used to. Graham, the manager, has been there 24 years and all the other staff are familiar faces too.
“However, I have extended the opening hours so they are now Monday-Saturday, 11.30-9.30pm and the house that came with it is currently being renovated. I hope to make this a café which serves breakfasts and the options for sit down fish and chips.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Development Bank of Wales. The loan has meant that I can ensure that Neil’s Fish and Chip shop keeps delivering high quality food to the customers.”
Investment Executive Ashley Jones said: “Neil’s Fish and Chips shop is a long-established business in the local community and it was very important to the seller that the new owner would keep the business as a fish and chip shop. Ricky and Hanna came to us for financial help to purchase the business and as new business owners, we helped guide them through the whole process.
“We’ve worked very closely with Ricky and Hanna who definitely have the right values to make it a huge success and keep serving quality fish and chips to the local community for years to come. Our range of loans means that they can be used for business succession transactions like this one. We’re here to lend a helping hand to people who have the aspiration and vision to build a successful business.”
Portfolio Executive Richard Easton will be the day-to-day contact for Ricky and Hanna said: “Neil’s Fish and Chip Shop has a great reputation in West Wales and I am looking forward to working closely with Ricky and Hanna in the future and to provide them with ongoing support to help with the business’ future growth plans.”
The funding came from the Wales Business Fund, which is part-funded by the ERDF, through the Welsh Government. It was created specifically to support business with fewer than 250 employees based in Wales and those willing to move here.
