A POPULAR family-owned fish and chip shop has permanently closed in Southbourne.

Ricky’s was a takeaway on Belle Vue Road owned by Ricky Sydney Knowlton and his wife Fiona.

In December 2023, the takeaway received an award at the National Fish and Chips Awards.

(Image: Newsquest)

Ricky’s closed its doors in early November to focus on its second eatery, Syds Slaps.

Read more: Syds Slaps is Trader of the Week

In late 2023, Syds Slaps, a successful café with a chill vibe and late-night music opened on Southbourne Grove.

Speaking about the closure of Ricky's, co-owner Fiona said: “We thank everyone who's been to see us in our loyal following but hopefully they'll come and see us at Syds Slaps.

“We want to concentrate on one business now because it's going really well.

“We decided that we could either try and drag it out for the winter or we could concentrate on Syds so the former staff at Ricky’s have all gone off to pastures new so it's all very amicable and lovely.

“When we opened Ricky's, we said that we wouldn't sell any food that we wouldn't be happy to buy ourselves so we followed that through at Syds as well.”

Now, the former fish and chip takeaway has been listed on Rightmove as a lease for £1,042 per month.