The new owner of a popular Nottingham chippy has been teasing us for weeks with food photos and 'coming soon' alerts on social media - but now it has finally opened.
The city centre takeaway, which used to attract queues of weekend revellers, has undergone a four-month transformation and it couldn't look more different with pretty hanging baskets, a shiny new counter, spotless interior and staff whose smart attire of denim aprons, white shirts and caps has a passing resemblance to Peaky Blinder according to one customer.
But Cod Fish & Chips won't be doling out battered sausages or chips and gravy at 2am to tipsy clubbers - not yet anyway as the doors close at 9pm while the business gets established. Although that could change, says owner Damla Kaya, who comes from a family of chip shop owners.
What used to be The Food House was completely gutted and has re-opened with a new menu and a pavement seating area, with space for 12 customers to tuck into their fish and chips in the sunshine in St James's Street.
Prices are very cheap too - just £2.99 for a small fish, chips and mushy pies.
As well as cod, there's all the usual takeaway favourites of fishcakes, scampi, cheeseburgers, Pukka Pies and battered burgers - but it isn't serving kebabs.
For something a little different there's Alaskan salmon burgers and pots of carrots, broccoli, sweetcorn and garden peas on the menu.
"Usually in chip shops it's mushy peas, gravy and curry sauce. We have cheese sauce and mixed veg - it is unusual but we wanted to do something different...very healthy," says Damla.
Cod Fish & Chips also serves coffee and churros - the Turkish variety soaked in syrup and Spanish ones served with chocolate, caramel or strawberry sauce.
Damla said: "We might open later on Fridays and Saturdays because this road is so busy with all the bars and clubs but because it's our first week we want to see how it goes.
"Seating is available outside with the same prices as takeaway. It's very good value."
And what's the secret to the perfect chip? "Clean oil and good quality potatoes," added Damla, whose husband Hayri has helped her set up the business.
Cod Fish and Chips is open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 9pm.
