A popular fish and chip shop that once served up shark so people could 'get their own back' on Jaws when the hit movie was in the cinema is set to close its doors after more than 60 years. At the age of 84, owner Dennis Jackson said his advancing years, combined with spiralling costs, have prompted him to call it a day at Jackson's Chippie in Ilkeston.
He was a youthful 22-year-old when he started out in 1961 and when asked how many chips he's served over the decades, he answered: "Probably half of Lincolnshire." Four days a week Dennis arrives at the chip shop in Market Street at 7am to get the marrowfat peas on to heat, to prepare the fish, make the meat pies and chicken curry, and chip the potatoes.
"It's been very good. It's had its ups, its had its downs like businesses do but we have survived it so far but in the course of that 62 years that has put me into the 80s bracket. At the moment the catering industry is on a bit of a downer because of the utility bills - it's difficult to make it pay."
