A FISH and chip shop set up in a building that is more than 100 years old has been serving people for nearly 20 years.

The Trawlerman, in Gloucester Road, Brighton, was opened in December 2001 by Mo Dhanjal and her husband Tony.

The couple previously owned the Atlantic Fish Bar in Eastbourne but when they decided to move to Brighton they wanted to start afresh with a new shop.

The pair soon found themselves working at Bardsley’s fish and chip shop in Gloucester Road, pictured right.

Mo said: “The man who used to own it was called Jim, he was just looking for a fish fryer so we went in to work, but he said he didn’t have time to run it.

“So we said that we wouldn’t mind buying it.

“We purchased it for £58,000 but obviously it’s worth a lot more now.” They changed the shop’s name to The Trawlerman when they took over.

Mo and Tony have a long history with fish and chips.

She said: “My husband has always made fish and chips, even before we had the shop in Eastbourne.

“His brother has a chip shop too.”

Mo said they have plenty of regular customers, some who come from further

away, but they also draw tourists.

“Some regulars probably pass a lot of chip shops on their way to us but still come here which is nice,” Mo said.

She said the signature items at The Trawlerman are the crispy chips and the pea fritters.

If you don’t like fish then you’re covered as well as the shop does a signature chip shop saveloy and also specialises in crispy and juicy fried chicken.

There have been plenty of high points from the couple’s time at the helm of The Trawlerman but for Mo, one moment in particular stands out.

She said: “The summer of 2002 was the first summer we were open.

“It was also the year Fatboy Slim did his big gig on Brighton seafront.

“It was a great day for us, it was crazy, we ran out of everything because we didn’t expect so many people.”