A FISH and chip shop owner has battered for the last time after first joining the restaurant aged 13.

After 25 years of being at the heart of the Christchurch community, Vicky Hardwick, 38, has closed Captain Cod for good.

She has been the face of the iconic chippy since it opened in 1993 before taking it over at 19 years old in 1999.

(Image: Vicky Hardwick)

Vicky said Captain Cod is all she’s ever known and joined at a pinnacle time of her life when she was homeless at just 14 years old.

“It was my only sanity and kind of my home,” said Vicky.

She added: “If you put your heart and soul into something you can do anything you want.”

Over the years Vicky turned the traditional fish and chip shop into a community haven that helped locals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We went from doing six deliveries a night to 160 overnight.”

Captain Cod grew its menu to include gluten free alternatives and began doing free delivery service during the pandemic, from New Milton to Bournemouth.

“When the government wasn’t giving out free school meals, we decided to donate 250 and many people were commenting on how they could help so we decided to do pay it forward.”

She added: “I’ve been homeless a couple of times and struggled so I just wanted people to be able to come in, pick up a receipt and ask for food without feeling embarrassed.”

In order to keep spirits up Vicky also launched a quirky menu where she offered to fry anything, from brussels sprouts to cheeseburgers.

“If it put a smile on someone’s face then it means something.”

Staff also took face paint requests during covidStaff also took face paint requests during covid (Image: Vicky Hardwick)

However, four years ago Vicky was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition causing pain and fatigue, which meant juggling the store and being a mother of two became more difficult.

“After so long of me looking after the community and me thinking of other people, I’ve got to think of me and my kids now.

“I wanted to end Captain Cod on my own terms and for the name to end with me.”

It is understood that new owners have taken over the unit but will be completing a refurbishment before re-opening under a new name.