OFF The Hook fish and chip shop in Long Hanborough has been serving tasty takeaways to residents during lockdown.

The West Oxfordshire business, which opened seven years ago in Main Road, a short distance from the railway station, is owned by Luke Carter.

He said he had considered closing during the coronavirus lockdown – but then he realised that 'his customers wouldn't let him'.

"Some of our customers were saying 'please don't close' so I said to my team we should stay open and that's what we did," Mr Carter said.

Oxford Mail:

"We are doing deliveries for people living in the villages – some of them are elderly and they can't come to the shop to pick up their takeaways."

Mr Carter said there was a delivery charge of £3.50, with customers ordering online.

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They are then given a time slot and their order is left at their door so that safe social distancing measures can be observed.

Plastic screens have also been erected in the shop to keep staff and customers safe.

Since lockdown started in March, when some restaurants decided to close, Off The Hook has stayed open seven days a week.

It is one of a number of fish and chip shops around the county staying open for customers and is backed by the Oxford Mail's #StillopeninOxfordshire campaign, which is supporting independent local businesses trying to keep trading in the face of lockdown restrictions.

Oxford Mail:

Mr Carter added the shop was also serving a range of takeaways including pizzas, burgers and sausages.

He said: "Our manager is Tibor Karaczsony, who is originally from Hungary.

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"We are all looking forward to when lockdown measures can be eased.

"When this first started we did contemplate closing but it soon became clear that our customers wanted us to stay open."

A serving of small cod and chips costs about £8 and the £3.50 delivery charge applies for addresses within a six-mile radius.

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Other fish and chip shops which have been serving customers include Reeves in Ock Street, Abingdon and the Mediterranean Fish Bar in Abingdon Road, Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

A member of staff at Mediterranean Fish Bar said: "At the moment we are opening 12pm-9pm six days and 12pm-8pm on Sunday – we want to stay open for our customers and we hope things get back to normal as soon as possible."

When the government imposed lockdown restrictions at the end of March, hotels and most shops and pubs were ordered to close, although some hotels have been accommodating key workers and the homeless.

Some restaurants and cafes have stayed open to serve takeaways, sometimes linking up with delivery app Deliveroo.