A POPULAR takeaway in Flintshire is in safe hands with its new owner who comes from a long line of fish and chip shop specialists.

The Big Fish in Mold town centre is under new ownership through Alex Valyandis who comes from a Cypriot family full of fish and chip shop owners.

The family has been running fish and chip shops in the UK since the 50's and in North Wales for nearly 50 years.

Alex said: "My Papu, (which means Grandad in Greek) came to the UK in the 50’s and worked in a Fish & Chip shop from a young age, after a few years, Papu purchased his own business in Wallasey.

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"Then in 1975, he bought Borras Park Fish Bar and to this day, 47 years on, he is there every morning at 6am preparing the fish, a job he still absolutely loves.

"My Papu’s love for this business rubbed off on the rest of the family and my Dad eventually got his own fish and chip bar in Mynydd Isa called ‘Yianno’s Fish Bar’, which he still has today, along with another in Brynteg, Wrexham with the same name.”

Alex said that, when the Big Fish went up for sale, he felt it was the 'perfect opportunity for the family to expand their love of fish and chips into the Mold area.

The Leader:

PIC: Alex with his dad Yiannos.

He added: "The Big Fish has been a firm favourite of the people of Mold throughout its years and we hope continues to remain so. We have made a few changes, modernising the chip shop a bit and adding new recipes and cooking techniques.

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"We have been warmly welcomed by old customers as well as welcoming many new customers, all who have been pleasantly surprised with the changes we’ve made, and for the most part, we can confidently say they are happy with the food, the service and overall experience.

"My Dad and Papu are very important to me, I look up to both of them and have learnt a huge amount from their many years of experience and knowledge. So having them beside me to learn from on this venture, along with my older brother has given me a head start I could have only dreamed of and I hope to be in Mold for many years to come.”

Mayor of Mold Councillor Sarah Taylor recently went along to meet Alex and the team at The Big Fish.

The Leader:

PIC: Mayor of Mold Cllr Sarah Taylor with new Big Fish owner Alex Valyandis.

Following her visit, the Mayor said: "Even though it has just been over a month since Alex took over, you can see the pride he has in his work and whilst I was there it was very busy with lots of happy customers who all had excellent things to say about the fish & chips that I just had to try them for myself and they where not wrong, extremely tasty, not greasy and I will be back for more soon.

"The family-owned Yianno’s Fish Bar’ in Mynydd Isa recently won the award for 'Best Kebab in Wales 2022', and placed second in Britain overall and I am sure it won’t be long before we see Mold’s own Big Fish ‘netting’ their own awards.”