THE owner of a 101-year-old fish and chip shop in the Highlands has had to “bite the bullet” and make the hard decision to close the business.
Michael Miele, who has served customers at the Northern Fish Restaurant in Elgin for more than 50 years, made the “heartbreaking” choice to close at the end of the month.
The 70-year-old has worked at the chippy since he was in primary school and started full-time employment at the eatery in 1970.
He has been in charge of the business since his father retired in 1995, according to the Press and Journal.
Northern Fish Restaurant was put on the market last year by Miele, but there was no potential buyer, so he has decided to close the much-loved takeaway.
Miele made the decision as he’s physically unable to continue working anymore as the day after he told his staff they were closing he was told he needed a knee replacement.
Speaking to the Press and Journal he said: “I’m 71 in December. It’s breaking my heart, but I’ve had to bite the bullet.
“It’s getting harder on my knees and my mind. The day after I told the staff I got a phone call to say I needed a knee replacement.
“The staff were in tears when I told them. If I felt I could, I would 100% continue. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself, it’s been my life.”
The Northern Fish Restaurant opened in Elgin in 1923 and its interior has been relatively unchanged since the 1960s.
The chip shop is best known for its 1950s jukebox which Miele has maintained throughout the years.
He added that he is going to miss his customers and staff who have been loyal to the business for years.
The chip shop will close on August 31.
