'My dad will forever be our hero': Tribute to man behind popular seaside fish and chip shop following shock closure
Last updated 30th Apr 2023
The daughter of the founder of one of the Borders best-known fish and chip shops is paying tribute to her dad following its shock closure.
Olivia Mackay was just one when her father John bought the former Co-op building in Eyemouth's High Street and transformed it from "a dusty shell into a booming business for 21 years".
Last weekend, Mackays of Eyemouth, which also operated a mobile chip van, announced it had ceased operation.
Olivia, who hints that the decision was "outwith" her control, has described it as "a very sad day" - not only for Eyemouth, but for herself, her brother and her sister.
"Today we remember what our dad, John Mackay, built from absolutely nothing," she posted on social media.
"He was the true definition of: 'If you want good things in this life, you have to bloody work for them'. Never did a day go by where he wasn’t pouring his life and soul to make Mackays everything it was.
"From Mackay’s Frys to Mackays of Eyemouth, and then taking the business on the road; a local business that everyone in this town and further afield will remember fondly.
"Every single day he showed up and pushed himself harder, ensuring it only grew bigger and better.
"Memories that will last a life time, from him being behind the fryer to running about like a mad man with his hose. Not forgetting of course the endless banter with everyone who came and went. He was the Mackay of Eyemouth."
The sudden closure notice, which was signed by current owner Joanne Patterson, came less than two years after the award-winning restaurant announced the loss of its founder to cancer.
Olivia goes on to pay tribute to the staff at Mackays - "especially Isy, Mags, Debbie and Morag".
"You have watched myself, Jay and Lewis grow up within this home and business," she said. "We will always have a space in our hearts, just like my Dad did, for all of you. He loved his team and you guys never let him down.
"His passing was never going to be easy on any of us and, from the moment he left this world, we all knew Mackays would never quite be the same."
An architect had been drafted in to modernise the popular seaside attraction, to include a new bar/restaurant, before Covid hit.
Olivia said: "John Mackay always had a plan; he had plans meticulously set out for his beloved business to soar forevermore. However, this did not come to fruition and the passion he passed onto his children was not given chance to flourish.
"Now myself, Jay and Lewis, as a family, need to say goodbye to this chapter which has been a very bloody hard one to say the least.
'My dad will forever be our hero, who thankfully gave us the courage, strength and resilience to get through this past 18 months and look forward in the face of what is outwith our control.'
But she added: "I think walking along the bantry I will always look up to that decking and picture him standing there, cheesing at me with that unforgettable grin. I feel so lucky to be a Mackay and come from such a great man. He is forever Mackay’s and I am forever his small fry 🤍"
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