End of an era as beloved Welsh chippie goes up for sale after 124 years

Vacara's Fish and Chips shop
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A well-loved fish and chip shop is going up for sale. Vacara's is an institution in Newport. A classic fish and chip shop with a restaurant at the back.

Over the years, it hasn't changed much, which is one of the reasons why customers keep coming back for more.. The family business was first opened in Newport in 1888, and has been at its current location on Llanarth Street for 124 years, reports WalesOnline.

However, an end of an era is approaching, as the great-grandson of Vacara's founders Alan Edwards, who now runs the business, is ready for retirement. He has put the building up for sale. Alan will be turning 76 next month, and is hanging up his fryer after running the business for over 40 years.

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Vacara's is a true family business that Alan has known for all of his life. He explained: "I lived over the business for the first 21 years of my life because my parents and I lived with my grandmother. I worked in the steel industry in HR for the first 13 years of my working life until 1983, when my father retired so I came back to the business to help. I've been here ever since."

Alan has also worked with family members over the years, and even said a few distant relatives still work at the shop today. His three sons are professionals working all over the country, leaving Alan as "the only one left", which is why the building is up for sale now that he is looking to retire.

When he came back to Newport in 1983 to take over the business, "Newport was thriving". However, Alan said that it has not always been smooth sailing and has overseen a lot of change in Newport over the years, including a drop in people coming into the city, recessions and the pandemic.

Despite the challenges and the city being quieter, Alan never thought about giving up the family business. He said: "We all wanted to keep it going. We were proud of the history and the reputation the business had in Newport and we all strove to keep it going."

Lots of Alan's customers were first introduced to Vacara's beloved fish and chips many years ago by their grandparents. Many have also long since emigrated from Newport to destinations all over the world, but always make sure to stop by when they are home to visit family and friends.

"You'd be surprised how many people from different parts of the world we get returning here. A lot of them say 'We're glad you're still here and you haven't changed,'" he said.

When we asked Alan what has been his favourite thing about running the business for all these years, he didn't have to think twice. "The customers," he said. "People coming out of the restaurant and telling you that it's the best fish and chips they've ever had. That gives you a big boost."

Some of his customers have been less delighted to hear the news that Alan is retiring, however. "People are coming in and complaining at me," he laughed. "But until we sell it, we'll still be here." For the latest Newport news, sign up to our newsletter here

Alan said that it "will be sad" when the building gets sold and he finally retires. Saying goodbye to his customers "will be the difficult bit but all good things come to an end," he added.

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