We're still frying after 40 years!

Popular chippy has stayed true to founder Harry's people-first vision

- By JESS MOLYNEUX

A POPULAR family-run chippy loved by generations of Scousers has been serving customers for over 40 years.

Located on High Street in Wavertree, Harry’s Continental first opened its doors back in the 1980s.

The local institution was founded by Harry Costas, now 76, who moved from Cyprus to the UK as a teenager in the 1960s. In his early days in the city, he ran a few other chippies with his brother, Charlie, but saw potential when he spotted an empty unit a stone's throw from Picton Clock roundabout.

For decades, customers from the area and beyond have come to know Harry, his wife Androulla and daughters Maria, Gina and Dena who have all worked there through the years. Today, Harry’s Continental is still owned by Harry, but run by his son-in-law Sotiris Frangeskou, 43, who began working in the shop 18 years ago.

Sotiris, originally from Birmingham, told the ECHO: "My father-in-law came to England when he was 14 years old. He was from a poor family in Cyprus, and his father passed away when he was young.

"His mother was struggling and said 'look, I’m going to send you to your auntie’s so you can try and get some opportunities there.' He came on his own at the age of 14 and a couple years later I think his brother, Charlie, followed, and he worked all around.

"He also went to New York to stay with an auntie there. He was in Birmingham and by chance he lodged for a period of time with my grandfather’s sister.