A FISH and chip shop which closed suddenly is to reopen under a new manager - and with a new name.

Lowesmoor Fish Bar, in Lowesmoor, Worcester, was pictured boarded up last summer but will soon be the plaice to be once again for a fish and chip supper.

Worcester News: CONCERN: Lowesmoor Fish Bar was boarded up CONCERN: Lowesmoor Fish Bar was boarded up (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The premises is expected to open in a fortnight under a new name - 'Soliman's Fish Bar', offering 'traditional fish and chips' as new managers issue a reassuring message - 'Honky's shop is going to be okay soon', a reference to the larger than life man who once made the business a household name in the city.

READ MORE: Lowesmoor Fish Bar once run by Honky Fletcher now boarded up 

READ MORE: Fish and chip shop boss warns of disaster over rising prices 

Roham Naderasli, who runs the Hangar cafe in Reindeer Court, said: "I’m happy to say we took over the business and hopefully will run it soon."

The 34-year-old came originally from Iran five years ago and says coming to Worcester was 'one of the greatest things that happened to me.' He called the city 'so welcoming'.

Worcester News: FUTURE: Soliman Fish Bar in Lowesmoor, due to open at the former Lowesmoor Fish Bar FUTURE: Soliman Fish Bar in Lowesmoor, due to open at the former Lowesmoor Fish Bar (Image: Soliman Fish Bar)

He said: "I'm trying to keep it as traditional as possible. I will change the name and have created a new logo. I'm very excited -and a bit worried as well."

The hope is he will start with three staff, including himself, but aims to increase this to seven. They have taken over the premises on a short-term five-year lease.

We reported in August how wooden boards completely covered the frontage of Lowesmoor Fish Bar in Lowesmoor, Worcester.

No explanation was given by way of a notice on the fish and chip shop itself or on the shop's website or Facebook page. 

Previously the business was run by local character “Honky” (George) Fletcher, who had the shop for more than 50 years until he retired in 1985.

Worcester News stalwart writer Mike Pryce described how Mr Fletcher was given the nickname as a lad when he delivered bread at night and would drive round the city streets shouting “Honk, Honk, Honk” because his van hadn’t got a horn. 

Mr Pryce wrote: “'Honky' Fletcher was so well known he is probably the only person ever to have an “anti-obituary” carried in this paper.

"That happened when he went into hospital for a serious operation and a well-meaning friend reported him dead. The news soon spread like wildfire, leading his wife to take out a notice in the paper to say that, in fact, her husband was recovering well, while another in his chippy window said simply “Honky’s OK”."