Bury St Edmunds businessman swaps fashion for fish as he opens Hendo's fish and chip shop on Abbeygate Street
A former clothes shop owner has swapped fashion for fish with his latest venture.
Giles Henderson, who ran the menswear store, Six, at 20 Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, has now moved further down the street to number 29, and opened a fish and chip shop.
Hendo’s opened on June 2 and is already winning praise from customers.
“When someone says their fish and chips were ‘absolutely delicious’, or even the best they’ve ever had, it’s really humbling, and puts a smile on your face,” said Giles, 41.
“We had a soft launch, and haven’t done much marketing yet but we’ve been very busy, so far.”
Mr Henderson, who lives in Fordham, near Newmarket, had the idea to open a chip shop, while watching cricket with a friend. He had previously run his designer menswear shop for six years.
"It was sad to close the clothes shop down last August but I felt it was a declining market and wanted a fresh challenge,” he said.
I was talking to a friend about food, and what everyone likes, while we were watching the Ashes.
"He mentioned fish and chips - and that was the lightbulb moment.
“I’ve always loved food and cooking and decided to give it a go.
"I’ve had my eye on number 29 Abbeygate Street for a while and after the Street Level cafe closed down, I talked to the landlord and drew up a business plan.”
The father-of-three then set about mastering the skills he needed. He went on a National Federation of Fish Fryers course along with gaining his food hygiene qualifications and applying for the licences he needed.
He also invested more than £100,000 into the building.
“It’s a listed building so there were regulations to follow and most of the work was gutting different areas so that it was easy to maintain, and run, an ultra-clean fish and chip shop,” he said.
We also have six, four-seater booths inside, space outside and are going to have an ice cream stall outside, like there used to be.
Mr Henderson says he is not trying to ‘reinvent the wheel’ when it comes to the nation’s favourite food, and instead keep things ‘traditional’ and ‘simple’.
“People just want good fish and chips,” he said.
“Luckily we have the best potatoes for chips around here, from the Fens. Our chips are triple cooked, our fish are fresh and cooked to order, and everything homemade with local produce, including our mushy peas.
“It’s great to be open.”
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