A NEW Merchants fish and chip shop is set to open in Halesowen.

The new takeaway will open at the former Parkes fish and chip shop unit on Halesowen Road, opposite the Stag and Three Horseshoes, next Monday (December 13).

Merchants owners Antony and Lucy Akathiotis live in Halesowen and are looking forward to opening a shop on their home turf.

They already run award-winning fish and chip shops in Stourbridge and Bewdley.

Antony, aged 39, said: "We live down the road so the shop is very local.

"Parkes was where we would take our kids if they wanted a bag of chips!

"It's great to be opening in our home town.

"We are putting our own mark on it and looking forward to opening next week."

Antony said Alan Parkes, who had run Parkes fish and chip shop for around 11 years, contacted him asking him if he wanted to buy the shop.

He said: "The shop was left in an immaculate condition, it's a credit to them - they are lovely people."

Antony and Lucy, aged 37, have a son aged 11 and daughter aged eight who attend a local school.

Merchants Halesowen will be open from noon till 8.30pm Monday to Saturday with gluten free chips served from Monday to Thursday.