The owner of a much-loved York fish and chip shop who is leaving in a few weeks, says the business will continue under new owners.
After Tom Gibbons announced he was leaving Bish’n’Chips when the lease runs out in three weeks, he says people feared that was the end of the popular chippie.
Tom says he is the father of two young daughters and he wants to spend more time with them.
He said: “Everyone says you don’t get time back with kids.”
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Whilst the chippie on Sim Balk Lane, Bishopthorpe, only opens three days a week, he works from 8am to 9pm on those days.
Tom wants to stress that the chippy will NOT be closing. A new couple have been found to run the business.
Tom and his team outside Bish'N'Chips
(Image: Pic supplied)
He told the Press: “It will still remain a chippy. It’s going to have a full refurb. It’s what it needs. It will create a buzz in the village.
“A husband and wife are taking it over. They have 35 years of experience with fish and chips so they know what they are doing.”
Tom says he is going to return to a career in sales, though not at the corporate level.
Before taking over Bish’n’Chips six years ago, Tom worked for Guinness.
He has already started work with his uncle’s business- Millingham Baking Products Ltd. The company is an indirect wholesaler that works with a local flour miller.
Tom added: I’m looking forward to the change and the challenge.”
In his time, Tom has built up a highly-rated chippy, that for the past three years, including 2026, has been a finalist in the The Press Best Chippy competition.
Google awards Bish’n’Chips 4.5 stars out of five, based on 224 reviews.
A recent comment awarded five stars and said: “Lovely fish & chips! Their chips were stunning and I got a bag of scraps also that were great! It was insanely busy when we went but the queue went down quickly. Staff were great, good selection of food.”
Tripadvisor awards 4.1 stars out of five, based on 79 reviews, ranking it 395th out of 943 York restaurants.
The latest such review gave five stars and said “so glad I found it.”
They added: “Absolutely delighted to try this place...the best I've had for some time lovely fish and the batter was superb crunchy and crispy just perfect even by the time I got them home and the chips excellent just how I like them not greasy or slimey. 100% my new place and 10 mins from home.”
Customers have reacted with sadness at the news of Tom’s departure.
One said: “Aww so sorry to hear you are closing best chippy in York. Will be down a week on Saturday to taste the great fish and chips of Yorkshire. Best wishes to you and your family.”
Another added: “Not the best in York- the best in the country by an international mile. Good luck for whatever is next. The classic dish here was from a different level.”
Tom's last day is Thursday September 5.