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A fish and chip shop proprietor has bid farewell to the community he has served for almost three decades.

Vaughn Williams, 62, has run the Square Chippy in Abertridwr for 27 years, but has sold the business to a new owner so that he can enjoy retirement with wife Alison.

Mr Williams took over the old Bracchi’s in October 1993 and refurbished the shop before moving across the Square in 1999.

A former policeman, swimming teacher and sales manager, Mr Williams decided to take the plunge and invest following the advice of a friend who also owned a fish and chip shop.

Mr Williams said the first national lockdown had made him realise the time was right to hang up his apron and spend more time with his wife of 25 years.

He said: “We spent a lot of time with each other and the good thing that came out of lockdown was we realised we wanted to retire when we still had our health.”

Mr Williams said he would miss the daily banter with customers and thanked them for their support over the years.

He also paid tribute to the different staff who had worked with him over the years.

He added: “The guys who have worked with me over the years have been fantastic – it’s been a real joy.”