Yesterday was a very sad day for myself personally and the Skippers Team. My mum and business partner Pat sadly passed away after a long illness. Although she had not been active in the shop for several years she was very much still active behind the scenes.

Pat started our fish and chip business in 1984 when she bought The Chippy on Friargate in Preston. My dad Bill joined her when he left his job at British Aerospace and I joined the business in 1999.

My mum supported my dad with his role as President of the National Federation of Fish Friers and for the past four years she has also supported me to do the same national role. She was my rock and will be sorely missed.