Stotesbury’s – believed to be the Isle of Wight’s oldest fish & chip shop – is under new ownership.
The famous chippy, which was established nearly 130 years ago, has been taken over by its former chef, Danny Ditton.
Danny was originally a bricklayer and plasterer. He began to work in the chip shop when COVID hit his regular trade and has worked at Stotesbury’s for 2-and-a-half years before becoming the boss.
The former owner of 22 years – Meli – has retired and returned to her former home country of Montenegro. Danny – together with his wife and 3 children aged 2, 7 and 12 – have now taken up residence in the flat above the chip shop.
Speaking to Island Echo, Danny said:
“Taking over the business wasn’t an easy choice to make. We’ve had to sell our property at the top of Hunnyhill and move in upstairs. Selling our former home wasn’t easy – it took us 6 months to raise the capital.”
![20230726 120415[30351]](https://cdn.islandecho.co.uk/uploads/2023/07/20230726_12041530351.jpg)
Danny said:
“Everything was running well as it was. Fish ‘n’ Chips are Britain’s national dish. I’ve been here for 2-and-a-half years, Lou for 18 years and Nikki for 10.
“We’ve tried to reduce wait times to 15 to 20 minutes. We are now running the friers at full capacity. Before you might have to wait for up to an hour.
“Unfortunately, it took a couple of weeks to set up Uber. Also, the card machine struggled with the thickness of the walls. But we believe that’s sorted now.”
Expanding on the gluten-free range which Stotesbury’s now specialises in, Danny said:
“My wife and daughter can only eat gluten free food, so I understand the problem. It can be difficult if you are allergic to gluten when you go out.
“We’ve expanded the gluten free range – now we can provide gluten free curry sauce, chicken nuggets, scampi and fish cakes.
“We cook everything separately so there’s no possibility of cross-contamination.
“Now, we have hundreds of customers coming to the shop from all over the Island 7 days a week – even from as far away as Ventnor and Sandown.”
Where is Stotesbury’s?
Nodehill newport
Or upper St James Street!
Next to Weaslebury
When I started to learn German at Carisbrooke GS in 1961, my German teacher Davie Marr immediately did the same thing: I was “Herr Wieselburg”. In very ancient English, though, at about the time of William the Conqueror, a “stote” was a young bullock! I’m glad that translation never caught on at school.
You seriously don’t want to no, the town is over run by crietins druggies and drunks,
Just a polite warning.
Oh dear Jim you must not describe yourself so harshly, you can get help for personality traits that you you may not tar us all with the same brush. Newport is also full of everyday wonderful people. I hope the new owner becomes very successful in serving us some wonderful sustanable fish and chips. This used to be my favourite chippy.
And people who can’t spell!
Does anyone know if the last owner is okay Nem’s Mum? We go a long way back did she just retire?
Did you not read the article?
Good luck on your (newish) venture
It really went down hill so hopefully it will pick up under new ownership. Last time I went there it was the smallest piece of fish that I had seen, with way too much batter and chips that tasted like they were sat around in oil for hours.
All the best for your new adventure. Perhaps consider a battered Mars bar or a battered Cadbury cream egg? If sugar isn’t your thing, mushy peas rolled into a ball and then fried in the batter is a delight too.
Omg, seriously! Each to his own..
I wish you all the best. 🙂
So who does the best fish and chips on the island? Obviously not Ocean View in Ventnor. Yellow soggy chips there when I went earlier this year. Awful.
Ozzie in pan fabulous a chip shop that when you come home your so so full the best chip shop on Island
Ozze’s certainly gets best reviews so I must give it a try.
You are right, Tony’s at the top of Ryde high street is the best on the Island
Tony’s is in John street and Wights is in high street
Popped in a couple of weeks ago and bought fish
and chips for four of us. Absolutely huge portions,would’ve fed 6-8 so ended wasting some but they were just delicious!!!!! Will definitely be back. Pre ordered by phone,a!l ready to go when I got there. Cash only on that particular day.
Best of luck, Danny! My grandmother still ran the business when I was a littlun.