Fish and chip shop owner retires after 42 years
BBCA fish and chip shop owner is giving up her "fourth child" after more than four decades behind the fryer.
Kerry Naylor has served customers in Ilkeston for 42 years, and Saturday 16 May will be her last shift at Kerry's Chippy, in Pelham Street.
Naylor said she was "tired and emotional" in her final week and her daughter and co-worker, Toni Naylor, said the shop has been a "massive part" of the family's lives.
"She's done absolutely amazing. Kerry's done so much in the community, her food is good and she's taken care in everything she's done," said Toni, who will also leave the shop on the same day as her mum and sister, Jodi.
Naylor started her chip shop career in Church Street, in a shop built by her husband in 1984.
"I worked alongside my mother-in-law and her sister, Auntie Evelyn, and then it just evolved from there," she said.
The family had multiple shops across the town, including in Pelham Street, which Naylor took over from her aunt in 1994 and renamed it Kerry's Chippy.
She said the job had been "amazing" and that she had made good friends with both staff and customers.
She added that she had been "overwhelmed" by all the good wishes she had been sent since her retirement was announced on social media.
"Mum has poured her heart and soul into every aspect of the business," her daughters said in an online post.
"She has worked incredibly long hours, often putting the needs of the shop and its customers before her own," they added.
Diner Colin Hampton saw the Facebook post and travelled 26 miles from Chesterfield "specifically" for the Ilkeston speciality - a full house.
"I don't think they do them anywhere else other than Ilkeston. I'm having fish, chips and peas, pie and gravy," he said from a queue that stretched into the street.
"You always get a great welcome, always get great service and I wish them all well for the future. Everybody's got to retire sometime."
Stuart Fretwell has been eating at Kerry's Chippy since he was seven, and described it as "the best chip shop in the country by a mile".
"Nice staff, friendly, it's cheap, it's brilliant. It's very sad that Kerry's leaving, but if she wants to retire, I don't blame her," he said.
Janice and Gordon Pearson have been coming to the chip shop for around 40 years, and described Kerry's tenure in the shop as "excellent".
"I hope they do very well in the future. I know she's been looking forward to retiring, to spend time with her children and grandchildren," said Janice.
"I hope that the new staff will be as good as the old ones," added Gordon.
The chip shop will continue under new ownership.
Naylor said she was pleased that "Ilkestonians" would be taking control of the business and added that she is looking forward to holidays with her husband after her final shift.
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