The proprietor of a historic fish and chip shop that has been serving the residents of Rawtenstall for more than 90 years is looking for a new owner to take over the business.

Antony Greenwood has appointed Blacks Business Brokers to market Old Man Greenwood’s Traditional Fish and Chips, with a guide price of £74,950 to take over the business and leasehold premises, which also incur rent of just over £5,000 per year.

Old Man Greenwood’s is located on Bank Street, next-door to Rawtenstall’s famous temperance bar, Mr Fitzpatrick’s. The premises has housed a fish and chip shop since 1932.

Mr Greenwood took the business over from former owner Ray Simpson in 2000, having previously worked there cleaning potatoes as a schoolboy. His mother also worked at the chip shop during Mr Simpson’s 34-year tenure.

READ MORE: Blackburn based Staci wins at the UK Business Awards

During Mr Greenwood’s more than two decades behind the fryer, the business has established a reputation as one of the finest fish and chip shops in the North West, with glowing online reviews.

It counts local celebrities including comedian Ted Robbins and actor Sam Aston, who plays Chesney Winter-Brown in Coronation Street, among its regular customers.

As well as operating as a takeaway, Old Man Greenwood’s also acts as a fishmonger, selling a wide range of fresh Fleetwood fish and shellfish.

The business, which will continue to operate as normal until a new owner is in place, turned over just under £83,000 in its last financial year, based on opening from 11.30am to 2.00pm and 4.30pm to 6.15pm Tuesday to Thursday, and all day from 11.30am to 6.15pm on Fridays. It employs three part-time members of staff in addition to Mr Greenwood.

Mr Greenwood, a former joiner and civil engineer who plans to work on other projects once the business has been passed on, has indicated that he would be happy to stay on for a handover period to train a new owner.

READ MORE: Chorley's Ottoman Bar and Grill to open in Manchester

John Gaskell, director of Bury-based Blacks Business Brokers, said, “Everyone loves a good chippy, particularly in Lancashire, and Old Man Greenwood’s is one of the best. Antony’s will be big shoes to fill, but he has laid amazing foundations for the next owner to take this Rawtenstall institution onward to its centenary and beyond.

“With its busy town centre location, there would certainly be scope for a new owner to increase revenues by extending the shop’s opening hours. There is also a growing trend for fish and chip shops to offer a delivery service, which could potentially prove to be very popular in a relatively densely populated area like Rawtenstall.”

All enquiries should be directed to Blacks Business Brokers on 0333 370 0000, quoting reference 7753.