A FORMER postmistress and an HGV driver have fulfilled their long-held ambition by taking over a traditional fish and chip shop.

After investing more than £10,000 upgrading Bondgate Fisheries, in Ripon, Janet and Colin Kaye said they would be able to achieve their dream of serving customers the traditional dish with lighter and crispier batter, alongside gluten-free alternatives, home-made fishcakes and locally-sourced produce, such as Whitby Scampi and Masham Sausages.

The couple said they would concentrate on building customer numbers at the Bondgate Green business and had plans to employ part-time staff in line with increases in custom.

Mrs Kaye said: “Many years ago Colin and I wanted to buy a fish and chip shop or run a bed and breakfast together, but we started a family and our plans changed.

"I come from a long career in retail management and I was the postmistress at Altofts Post Office in Normanton, Wakefield for more than a decade, but always wanted to try something new.

“We were attracted to Bondgate Fisheries because of its location in the beautiful Cathedral City of Ripon, which offered a combination of residential, local business, race-goers and local tourist customers, so we decided to go for it.

"After a few years of decline, the appetite for the British staple is rising, so we hope to capitalise on Briton’s love affair with fish and chips and build our new venture into the go-to community chippie."