A POPULAR Cockermouth chippy will go up for sale after its owners have decided it is time to take a step back and spend more time with their family, as they prepare to say goodbye to their loyal customers after six years.

Main Street Fisheries in Cockermouth town centre has gone up for sale after owners Julie and John Miller have decided to sell the business, following a successful six years in the town.

Speaking about the decision, Julie said: “It’s long hours, we have had it now for six years and it is hard work as people will know. I have you grandchildren, my only day off is a Sunday and I do my books and everything, so I only really have half a day off.

"I just feel like we need a bit more time to ourselves and to spend with our family and stuff.

"We will look at another venture but something with not as many hours.”

Julie and John have had much success, with the business winning Best Fish and Chip shop at the England Business Awards last year.

She said: “It’s been really successful, the books are absolutely brilliant, and it has gone from strength to strength. It has tripled profits since we got it. We do walk-ins, phone orders and deliveries.

"On a sunny day people want fish and chips, if it’s cold they want fish and chips, so it’s a win-win situation really.

"We have people that come from all over, people that come on holiday always come back and say we will come again. Elderly folk come on the bus and sit outside having their fish and chips and it is lovely to see all that.

"I will miss it to be honest, just all the crack with the locals... I will really, really miss it.”

The chippy will be open for business as usual with Julie saying the couple are ‘in no rush’ to sell, reassuring customers they will still be able to get their fish and chips, as they thanked people for the six years of support.

Julie said: “Just thanks for their loyalty and friendship, we have met a lot of friends and we have got our regulars with deliveries as well. Just thanks for being loyal and supporting us to getting where we are today really... it’s not just the tourists that make it, it’s all the local people as well.”