A kebab house which shut suddenly is to be replaced by a new traditional fish and chip shop.

Rain Fish & Grill served customers from its shop in Willesborough, Ashford, for almost 10 years prior to its closure last month.

The takeaway, which replaced Tim’s Fish Bar back in 2015, called it a day in Church Road much to the sadness of customers who said they were "gutted" and "disappointed" with the decision.

But now, just weeks later, the vacant unit has been taken over by business owner Emin Yalcin, who plans to relaunch it as a traditional chippy called Willesborough Fish and Chips.

The 29-year-old, whose uncle Halim runs Willesborough Cafe next door, says he is nervous but excited about the move.

"It's mixed emotions as I'm a bit scared being only 29," the father-of-two explained. "But being quite young I'm trying my hardest to be successful.

"It's my first business in my hometown having had two other businesses in Tenterden.

"But I sold them to be closer to home with my family and am now looking to open here in about two months.

"Growing up I also knew Willesborough is a really nice area."

Mr Yalcin previously had Del's Fish Bar and Lux Kebab in Tenterden. The former Towers School pupil also previously owned Batman Grill in Hastings when the restaurant scooped Chef of the Year accolade at the British Kebab Awards 2020.

However, Mr Yalcin says the aim for his new clientele is to create an authentic fish and chips takeaway.

He added: "There won't be kebabs, pizza or things like that, but rather traditional fish and chips and I'm going to make it as nice as a I can.

"Everything has been stripped out from the previous shop and once it's open I may have a few chairs inside.

"I'm planning on opening from 12pm every day apart from Sundays.

“When I opened at 11am in Tenterden though I had some lovely elderly customers so I may change that in the future."

The chippy will be near Chinese takeaway, Yummy, which opened on the same parade of shops in January last year.

It replaced Chinese Kong Wah which ceased trading in June 2023.