How fish and chip shops stayed open during the lockdowns

Fish and chips remained one of Oxfordshire's favourite treats during the lockdowns and is as popular as ever as government restrictions are eased.

Many fish and chip shops in Oxford and in towns around the county stayed open to serve takeways during the coronavirus lockdowns.

One of them was Off The Hook in Long Hanborough.

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The West Oxfordshire business opened eight years ago in Main Road, a short distance from the railway station.

Owner Luke Carter said in 2020 he had considered closing during the coronavirus lockdown – but then he realised that 'his customers wouldn't let him'.

He said last year: "Some of our customers were saying 'please don't close' so I said to my team we should stay open and that's what we did.

"We are doing deliveries for people living in the villages – some of them are elderly and they can't come to the shop to pick up their takeaways."

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Mr Carter said at the time there was a delivery charge of £3.50, with customers ordering online.

They were then given a time slot and their order was left at their door so that safe social distancing measures could be observed.

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Plastic screens were put up in the shop to keep staff and customers safe.

After lockdown started in March 2020, when some restaurants decided to close, Off The Hook stayed open seven days a week.

It was one of a number of fish and chip shops around the county staying open for customers.

Mr Carter added the shop was also serving a range of takeaways including pizzas, burgers and sausages.

A serving of small cod and chips costs about £8 and the £3.50 delivery charge applies for addresses within a six-mile radius.

Other fish and chip shops serving customers during lockdowns included Reeves in Ock Street, Abingdon and the Mediterranean Fish Bar in Abingdon Road, Oxford.