BRITAIN'S cheapest chippy had customers queuing around the block for its fish and chips meals selling for just 45p.
in , West Yorkshire, turned back the clock to 1972 – the year it first turned on the friers – to treat its loyal customers.
And dropping prices to those of five decades ago had hungry punters queuing round the block to snap up the great British take-away dish.
Mother Hubbard’s had been closed for four weeks as it underwent a £150,000 refurbishment, and the chippie decided to put on the reduced price offer on the first 1,000 meals of battered Icelandic haddock and chips on Wednesday to thank its customers for their patience.
The take-away’s operations manager Evie Marie, 20, has been working for the company since she as a schoolgirl aged 15 and was helping to serve up the delicious meals.
Evie said: “Usually the fish and chips are £9.95 but now its back to the 1972 price of 45p.
“Obviously, I have no idea what 1972 was like but I’ve seen lots of photos and it must have been brilliant to get fish and chips for 45p.
“We have got the normal number of staff in and opened at the usual time of 11am, the only difference it the price.”;
First in the queue was Daviner Kaur, 50, who had brought a stool to sit on in the sun, until the fish and chip shop, on Leeds Road, opened its doors at 11am.
“I’ve been here since 9.45am to make sure I didn’t miss out on the great deal,”; said housewife Daviner.
“I’m a regular customer here at Mother Hubbard’s, and missed it when it was closed.
“45p is such a good deal for such nice fish and chips.”;
The chippie had placed crash barriers along the pavement outside the shop and along the street to protect the hundreds of queuing customers from the traffic and staff were handing out free bottles of water to thirsty people waiting in the warm spring sunshine.
Retired taxi driver Mustafa Sheik, 67, said:”;I’m a regular here and the fish and chips aren’t bad.
“I’ve been coming here for three years and it is such a nice gesture to take the prices back to 1972 – I remember those days.
“I can only buy one portion at a time. I’m here with my daughter-in-law we should get our meal each. My wife is further back in the queue, I hope she gets hers.”;
Another diner Rashad Iqbal, 40, said:”;I think that it is an amazing price, especially with bills going up all the time.
“It is a great chance for families to have a decent meal at a good cost.
“Mother Hubbard’s didn’t have to do this, but it is such good will to the local people. It’s bringing the people back.
“They are very good fish and chips. I have had them loads of times. It is the best fish and chip shop around.”;
Carers Ankita Arora, 29, and Carla Teale, 34, work at the nearby Links care home, and queued up to bring some fish and chips back for their patients.
Ankita said:”;We’ve only got a couple of portions, but we are going to share them out and I’m sure they are going to love them.”;
Retired bus driver George Goddard, 75, lives round the corner from Mother Hubbard’s and is a regular customer.
George said:”;Wednesday is my usual day to have fish and chips but I had no idea this offer was on – it is marvellous.
“I saw the queue and thought I’d join it. Good old 1972 prices, I remember them well. It’s good that they are back.”;
James Robert Briggs, 55, was taken to the chippie with his carers Syed Naqvi, 50, and Cope Falola, 35, for a treat.
Syed said:”;We are all going to enjoy our fish and chips and James has really enjoyed being here.”;
