Kim and Andy Ashplant, both now in their 60s, opened the business in September 2000 but now intend to retire and spend more time with family.
‘Now that we’ve made the announcement, it’s very emotional,’ said Mrs Ashplant. They revealed the decision in a Facebook post at the weekend, which received a massive outpouring of both praise for the couple and sadness at the decision.
‘There are people who come here every day for their lunch, or once a week for their dinner, and we’ve really got to know these people, we’ve known them for almost 25 years.’
The old chip shop, previously run by Mr Ashplant’s parents, was sitting empty when the couple took it over.
They ‘jumped in completely blind’, with the help of some friends and colleagues, but went on to receive proper training and even a diploma in fish-frying.
In 2001, the Guernsey Press teamed up with ‘The Two Fat Ladies’ – TV cooks Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright – to review fish and chip shops around the island.
Beetons was named the best and the following day opened to a queue stretching down Pitronnerie Road, Mrs Ashplant said.
The chip shop has become one of the most popular in the island, using between about 15 20kg sacks of potatoes a day.
‘The main reason is for our retirement, but it has become harder to run a business,’ said Mrs Ashplant.
‘We own the business and we want to see what comes of it. We’d like to see it carry on as a chip shop but ultimately it’s up to the buyer.
‘We’re closing on an emotional high, full of gratitude for everyone who has supported us over these incredible 24 years.’
Through fundraisers at the chip shop, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for charities, most recently at the beginning of this year, when it raised £5,800 to purchase a defibrillator, with the rest of the money being donated to Guernsey Chest & Heart.
Its final day of frying will be Saturday 28 June.
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