In the Fish and Chip Shop, eleven members of the same family work on the fryers, spread over three generations
Eleven members of the same family, spanning three generations, work in an award-winning fish and chip shop.
If you walk into J-Henry's Fish & Chips, in Hedge End, Hampshire, there's a good chance you'll be served by a member of the Lee family.
Known as the “Codfather,” Shane Lee, 59, employs not only his wife and four children, but also his five teenage grandchildren, ages 13 to 15.
He founded the company 36 years ago and it has never left the family. His son Sonny explained that 'you're born into it' and 'as soon as you're old enough you're in the chippy'.
Now eleven members of the Lee family proudly man the counters and fryers, serving battered cod and peeling, chopping and frying potatoes.
The Lee family, pictured from left to right: Sonny Lee, Scarlett Harris, Charlotte Khaira, Ellie Lee, Charmaine Lee, Beverley Lee, Shane Lee, Brook Ayles, John-Henry Lee, Betsy Lee and Sienna Harris
The books feature Mr Lee, his wife Beverley, 60, and their four children: sons John-Henry, 41, and Sonny, 29, and daughters Ellie, 38, and Charlotte, 25.
Grandchildren Scarlett Harris, 15, Charmaine, 13, Betsy, 13, and Sienna Harris, 13, also work at the chippy alongside Sonny's stepson Brook Ayles, 15.
The young people receive their uniform and are put to work from the age of eleven, in shifts around school hours.
Mr Lee said: “It's mainly family, but we have about 16 employees now. For me, those are my children and grandchildren. It's beautiful.
'You don't see these kinds of family businesses anymore these days. Every now and then we have a fight, but usually it's a joke and usually it's all good.'
'We all have a good working relationship. Some families can't work together, but it seems to work for us.'
The chippy owner, who processes 100 tonnes of crisps a year, estimates his family has served more than a million portions of crisps since he opened his doors in 1988.
He was only 23 when he bought the shop – named after his son John-Henry – but already had experience in the industry, having worked at a chippy in London from the age of 14.
Now eleven members of the Lee family proudly man the counters and fryers, serving battered cod and peeling, chopping and frying potatoes
Mr Lee said: “We all have a good working relationship. Some families can't work together, but it seems to work for us.”
J-Henry's has been awarded a Good Food Award for 2023/24, recognized for its good quality food, friendly service and locally sourced produce
The chippy owner, who processes 100 tonnes of crisps a year, estimates his family has served more than a million portions of crisps since he opened his doors in 1988.
Customers have been visiting the 'true family-oriented' chippy for more than 20 years and even exchange Christmas cards with the Lee family because they appreciate the friendly service.
Mr Lee revealed: 'When we do staff parties, or Christmas parties and Secret Santas, things like that with family, I'm usually 'The Codfather himself, Shane Lee'.
However, the 59-year-old is looking forward to taking a backseat to the business and watching his two sons John-Henry and Sonny take over.
He said: “I'm glad it's going from strength to strength and the boys are picking up where I left off.
“I don't see it slowing down in the future so they can keep it going and continue to be successful. I'm looking forward to the future.'
Mr Lee said that with the “current decline in the high street”, being open for so long while competing with fast food chains such as McDonalds and KFC is “an achievement in itself”.
He added: “When we first came here there was none of that stuff, none of the big boys were here, but now we have them all as competition. But of course we are still here, the proof is in the pudding.'
Pictured: Henry, Shane and John-Henry Lee in 1995 – customers have been visiting the chippy for over 20 years and even exchange Christmas cards with the Lee family because they appreciate the friendly service so much
Shane Lee (pictured left in 2000) was just 23 when he bought the shop – named after his son John-Henry – now he employs his wife Beverley (pictured right, aged 19 in 1981) and their four children
The 59-year-old is looking forward to taking a backseat to the business and watching his two sons John-Henry (pictured in 2001, aged 18) and Sonny take over.
Pictured: John-Henry Lee, 18 years old, with his grandfather Henry Lee in 2001
Pictured from left to right: Ellie Lee, Sonny Lee, Beverley Lee, Shane Lee and John-Henry Lee with their Good Food Award
John-Henry's two other daughters, Olivia-Rai (RIGHT), six, and Isla (MIDDLE), two, have even been given their own mini chippy uniform, offering a taste of their future
Sonny said the family values a strong work ethic: “Once you can lift a bag of spuds and are tall enough to look over the counter without standing on an oil chest, you're old enough to serve.”
John-Henry's two other daughters, Olivia-Rai, six, and Isla, two, have even been given their own mini chippy uniform, in a teaser of their future.
Sonny said: “The whole immediate family is now involved in fish and chips. It's all about good food and friendly service.
“I know the names of three-quarters of our customers and I know their families and you become friends with them – I know most of their orders.”
J-Henry's has been awarded a Good Food Award for 2023/24, and is recognized for its good quality food, friendly service and locally sourced produce.
It has also been awarded an Elite Hygiene Award – the highest hygiene rating that can be awarded – for meeting hygiene standards at three separate inspections over eight years.
The Lee family also own another chippy in Hedge End called The Codfather, but this is under different management.