A Muir of Ord chip shop that celebrated the death of the Queen has re-opened with a new owner – but with the same name and sign.
Hours after the death of the Queen was announced on September 8, a video of a staff member popping a champagne cork was posted on the Jaki’s Fish and Chip Shop Facebook page.
In the video, a staff member held up a chalkboard that read “Lizard Liz Dead and London Bridge has fallen”.
It was widely condemned online.
The chippie was forced to close that evening after being surrounded by a crowd of angry local residents.
‘Thank you for 10 years’
Chip shop owner Jaki Pickett told The Press and Journal she had “no regrets” about the video.
The takeaway’s window was smashed when it re-opened and it had been closed since September 10.
But its doors were open last night, with a sign outside saying it was now under new management.
It read: “As of Friday 21st October, Jaki’s Chip Shop will be under new management.
“Please welcome Kerry, who has now taken over.
“Thank you for your 10 years custom and I wish Kerry all the best.”
The chippie is still called Jaki’s and the old sign still hangs above the door.
‘Surely that name has to be changed’
New owner Kerry Paterson said online she and her family had taken over the lease of the business from Jaki Pickett.
She said: “Thank you to the customers who came into the chippie and supported me on my first night.
“It was a pleasure to see you all and hopefully I will have your continued support.”
It is understood a new name and sign for the business will go up in the near future.
In the village on Saturday morning, one resident peering into the windows said: “It’s all anyone was talking about when it happened.
“We’ll see what happens. But surely that name has to be changed as soon as possible.”
Can chip shop regain trust in Muir of Ord?
The disturbance that occurred outside the chip shop on September 8 is being investigated by the police.
In the aftermath, local councillor Angela MacLean said what Ms Pickett had done was “despicable”.
She added: “People are really upset about it, not only because she has done this on the death of the Queen.
“But also because they don’t want to be associated in any way with her comments.”
The Facebook page that posted the original video has been deleted.
But the chippie’s website remains.
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