Beloved Fish & Chip Shop Closes in Harold Hill

0:00On March 7th, a beloved fish and chip shop in East London's Harold Hill is closing after 74 years of serving locals. Fish and Chicken on Hildene Avenue opened in 1952 when John Lipscomb and his wife bought the place. It stayed in the family through three generations, John, his son Hugh, and now grandson James, who's the company's chief executive officer. The closure comes as part of a major regeneration project by Havryn Council and Partners. Starting March 13th, the site will be demolished to make way for up to 481 new homes, more than half affordable, plus fresh. Retail spots, a public square, and community spaces. Officials plan a new version of the shop to reopen around 2028. Staff and customers feel the loss deeply, with longtime employee Joe Carter sharing how her family worked there for decades in a tight-knit setup. Locals worry about where to get their favorite chips now, but many recognize the need for updated housing and facilities in the aging area.

1:00The business has grown far beyond this original spot, now running 35 fish and chip outlets across the UK. Families like the Carter's and Good Games have been part of its story for generations, with some moving up to key roles in the company. While it's bittersweet to say goodbye to the old building, the upgrades promise a brighter future for Harold Hill, blending community roots with, modern improvements that residents overwhelmingly backed.