‘It’s nice to be back to normality.’
A fish and chip shop near York that was closed after a car crashed into it has reopened in time for the busy Easter break.
The Happy Haddock on the A19 between York and Escrick is looking forward to a bumper Good Friday – which is always associated with a fish supper.
The shop had to close when a car came off the road and slammed through a barrier into the wall of the shop at about 3am on Sunday 30 April last year.
Happily the driver – a DJ going home after work – was OK. But the collision knocked a large hole in the wall of the Happy Haddock, scattering bricks, dust and debris across the kitchen.
It was shut completely for ten weeks, and then operated with the hole boarded up over last summer.
It then closed at Christmas for the full repairs to be carried out and reopened with a fresh look new signage last month.
Jaz and Dave Dhesi have run the business since 2006.
Jaz said: “We have had a lovely welcome back with lots of ‘missed you’, ‘you do the best fish and chips’ comments.
“We get regular customers from all over York and further afield. People go to where they like the food and not necessarily to the nearest fish shop.
“This week Good Friday will be one of our busiest days in the year – many eat fish on a Friday, but especially on Easter Good Friday.
“It’s lovely to get back to normality and back behind the fryer and see our regulars and have a bit of banter.”
The Happy Haddock chips its own potatoes and uses fresh haddock, skinned and boned. It was this week awarded another five stars for food hygiene.
It opens Tuesday-Thursday 4.30pm-7.30pm; Friday 11.30am-1.30pm and 4.30pm-8pm; and Saturday 11.30am-1.30pm and 4.30pm-7.30pm.
You can find out more on their Facebook page.