‘I’m the UK’s oldest fish and chip shop owner aged 91 – why I’ll never retire’

Sprightly John Panayis has spent more than 60 years in the food industry and still works seven hour shifts, five days a week.

The energetic nonagenarian has dedicated over six decades to the food industry and currently upholds a robust schedule – serving customers for seven hours a day, five days a week.

Defying his age, John remains at the helm, frying fish and cooking sausages at Nick’s Plaice in Northampton.

Assuming control of the chippy in 2009 when he was 75, John eventually passed the baton to his son Nick after five years. Retirement didn’t sit well with him, as boredom quickly set in, prompting his return to his beloved fryer.

During his tenure of 16 years, John estimates that he’s whipped up roughly half a million portions of chips at the well-loved local takeaway. Rejecting the idea of retirement, he’s determined to keep on going, claiming he “can’t do retirement”.

Despite indulging in fish and chips twice weekly – occasionally even for breakfast – John credits his lasting vitality to a diet rich in healthy foods complemented by ‘the right wines’.

The great-grandfather-of-two, residing in Northampton, shared his sentiments: “I found I couldn’t do retirement. How many times can you really mow the lawn and trim the roses?

“I’ve never been one to be stuck inside the house, I only retired for a couple of months before I came back.

“I’ve got to be with people and the work keeps your mind active.

“I like coming here and I like the customers, they support us and I am very grateful for that.”

John, who has been in the hospitality business since he was a teenager, is showing no signs of slowing down. “I hope to continue because I feel fine and I have no plans on retiring.”

His secret to good health? “I’m healthy, my wife is a great cook and I eat the right foods and drink the right wine.”

He even admits to an unconventional breakfast choice: “I think I’ve been ill once my whole life. I eat fish and chips at least twice a week. I sometimes have them for breakfast.”

Having arrived in the UK from Cyprus at the age of 17, John has owned establishments in Hereford and Northampton, including the town’s first French restaurant. He’s also managed a coffee shop and a nightclub.

“The shop has been in the family since 2009 but I used to run restaurants before.”

John explains, noting his long-standing partnership with his son in the business. “We started up with my son being the co-owner but last year I bought back into it.”

John’s career spans over seven decades, as he proudly states, “I’ve been in the hospitality business since 1950, ever since I came from Cyprus.”

His work ethic is unwavering: “I always worked in various businesses and I’ve never been out of work, I don’t know what that’s like.”

John regularly hauls 20kg bags of potatoes around his shop while doing 30 hours weeks and says age is just a number when it comes to work.

Reflecting on his peers, he observes, “I certainly don’t know of anyone my age who is working. Most of them are suffering from their legs and backs.

“I know friends of mine in the catering business, when they retired they can’t work now – or they’re dead.”

With a touch of humour about his future, John quips, “I’ve always joked with my family if I came back after I died, I’d probably be a fish.

“I am 91, I’ll be 92 in March. I’m a day older than I was yesterday, the 91 or 92 doesn’t matter. Why grow old, I never say ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t do that’.

“I still lift the 20kg bag of potatoes. I can go on until I’m not able to do it, but while I’m able to do it, I’m going to.

“If you retire, you retire from living. Life doesn’t end when you’re 65.”

Son Nick said: “He’s just brilliant. He gives us all inspiration. He has always been a good cook and all the customers love him.”