TWO couples who have taken over Ingleton Chippy have carried out a full refurb and are ready to welcome old and new customers.

The couples, Mandy Calvert and Mark Hudson along with Sara Cornish and Darren Wagstaff realise they have a tough road ahead to create a viable business in the face of increasing costs of wholesale items.

Sara said: "We took over the premises a week before Christmas 2021 and have been busy putting our mark on the business. We were all looking for a new challenge and when the chippy came up, we just had to go for it. This business is new to all of us, although Mandy’s background is in catering.

Mark and Darren served together in the Royal Engineers based in Germany and have remained friends ever since.

Mandy and Mark are both local to the village of Ingleton, whilst Sara and Darren have recently returned to the UK after many years in Tenerife.

Sara added: "The last few months have been busy with our refurbishments to ensure we put our own stamp on it.

"Since we took over in December, we have noticed several price increases in this short time. Just as an example, we cook with beef dripping and a 10-kilo pack initially cost £18 but it is now £25 and to put this into context we use approximately 100 kilos a week which is an increase of £70 per week.

"Fish has also gone up £27 per box, again an increase of around £108 per week."

With other increases looming, such as the prices of electricity and other utility bills expected to go up significantly, the couples are expecting their profit margins to be narrower than hoped, but are still enthusiastic about their new venture and promise their customers that they will deliver quality food from the revamped premises..

Sara added: "Obviously, prices will have to increase, but we will not be skimping on quality. Our aim has always been to provide a high standard and it would be easy for us to use a cheaper fish or a different oil to cook in, but we will remain a traditional chippy and I’m sure our loyal customers will accept these increases as long as the quality remains the same."

Ingleton Chippy, located at The Square, has garnered rave reviews in the past from locals as well as visitors and the couples' aim is to carry on that positive tradition.