Scottish chip shop closes doors for first time in 35 years

A chippy has closed for the first time in 35 years due to the coronavirus pandemic - but not before delivering 80 fish suppers to elderly residents in a care home.

Marco Mazzoni, 67, does not accept debit cards or do deliveries at his old-fashioned fish and chip shop, so found he was forced to close up amid the lockdown.

In 35 years his chippy, Louis’s, in Port Glasgow, Inverlcyde, has only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and once when a fire broke out.

Staff and residents at Newark Care Home have been treated to fish and chips from Louis's in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, as the chippy was forced to shut down for the first time in 35 years amid the coronavirus pandemic

He first went into business 50 years ago with his brother, and has vowed to continue to pay all.

The big-hearted boss is also determined nothing should go to waste, so set about delivering 200 fish suppers to edlerly neighbours, health workers and pharmacies in the area - as well as another 80 delivered to Newark Care Home in the town.

Marco said: “I hate food going to waste so I cooked up everything I had in the shop - fish, chicken, black pudding - and handed it over to care homes, sheltered housing, the health centre and the fire station.

“I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Workers at Louis's chip shop prepared free meals for care homes, sheltered housing, the health centre and fire station in Port Glasgow before shutting up shop during the Covid-19 lockdown

“I'm not happy about closing but everyone’s health comes first, before my fish and chips.

“I have never closed in 35 years - only once before for a short time when I had a small fire in the frying gantry and otherwise Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

“We are good at what we do.

“Me and my big brother opened the first chip shop over 50 years ago.

“I like working in my shop and I've got the best customers in the world.

“They come back time after time.

“I've worked with my staff for a very long time, a lot of my staff have worked with me for more than 25 or 30 years.”

So dedicated are his customers that one couple make a 50-mile trip each weekend, from Stirling to Port Glasgow, to visit.

Marco said: “I have one wee couple who drive from Stirling every week, they order two fish suppers and take them over to Coronation Park to eat them.”

The OAPs at Newark Care Home were given their treat on 24 March.

And care home manager Moira Roberts added: “I’ve never seen such happy faces.

“Gestures such as this are really keeping our spirits up.

“I can’t thank these people enough.”