Aims to retain community feel

As the guard changes at Andy’s and it opens under new management this week, long standing customers brought Elena Nicolaou flowers and even champagne to wish her well in her retirement after 34 years of service at her Triangle chippy.

 

Elena Nicolaou (centre), surrounded by family co-workers Toulla and Nicolas, and flanked by new team Aihaam aka ‘Andy’ (far left), and Mark (far right).

Known as ‘Mum’ even by the shop’s new owners, at 75 next week Elena is, reluctantly, hanging up her apron and retiring for health reasons.

She started the shop in 1987 with her husband, and said she’ll particularly miss the people and the area after such a long time. In many cases the team has served generations of the same Bitterne Park families, and many customers have become good friends over the years, so the shop has deep roots in the community.

But because of her bad back Elena has to stop.

“If my back was alright I’d carry on,” she said. “I’ve got the energy to do it and I’m strong enough.”

There have been many changes at the Triangle during her time.

“The bank’s gone, the chemist’s gone, the post office has gone – that’s the main thing. There were more people…”

Elena (centre), Toulla and Nicolas outside the Bittene Park Triangle chip shop

Daughter Toulla, who’s worked in the shop since she was 16, agreed, remembering a greater range of shops and a lot more shoppers at the Triangle when they started.

But now it’s more about nails and hair, said her mum.

The shop has now been bought by two brothers, Aihaam (now apparently called ‘Andy’ by ‘Mum’) and Mark.

“They’re bringing 14 years’ experience with them,” explained Nicolas.

“We’re going to make everything the same,” said ‘Andy’, although over time they may tweak the menu and add other features “when we feel we are ready”.

“But the quality’s going to be the same.”

 Mark added: “People really love the way they love the business … we will try to keep it the same as it is as much as we can.”

“It’s been very lucky for us. We’ve been looking for a business for a while, so we’re very lucky to be with these people.”

While the shop carries on hoping to retain a ‘community feel’, Elena and family are looking forward to spending time catching up with family and friends. But they stressed they’ll be helping to get the new team settled in and introducing them to the area and customers before committing to anything else – aiming for a smooth handover.