The Northern Fish Restaurant in Moray, enjoyed by Tilda Swinton, Zara Tindall and Jeremy Clarkson, to close

A high street fish and chip shop, that’s been in the same family’s hands for over seven decades, is closing its doors for good.

Michael Miele, owner of The Northern Fish Restaurant in Elgin, has made the “heartbreaking” decision to shut his business at the end of this month.

Ill health and Michael’s advancing age have forced him to “bite the bullet” and he has decided to close the shop on August 31.

“I’m going to be 71 this year,” Michael said.

“I really wish I could carry on because I don’t want to close, I really don’t. It’s breaking my heart if I’m being honest but it’s getting quite tiring now with my age and my health.

“It’s a job that takes a lot of dedication.

“It can’t go on forever even though I would love it to.”

The shop itself has been a mainstay in Elgin since 1923 with Michael celebrating its 100th anniversary last year.

After going through two separate owners, it was eventually taken over by John Miele in 1953.

It has been owned by the Miele family ever since but Michael admits it was a complete “accident” as to how his family, originally from Italy, ended up making a rural town in Scotland their home.

He said: “After the First World War, my grandfather, Michael, and his brother couldn’t find any work in Italy.

“They were going to go to America.

“I don’t know how, but my grandfather was born in Hull so he had an English passport.

“But when he was going through control in England they asked him how he had that passport when he couldn’t speak a word of English.

“They chucked him back on a boat to Italy but it stopped in Southampton.

“He didn’t have any money so he went to the Italian Consulate and just by chance he met his brigadier from the war.

“He told him about this shop up in Scotland and that it was looking for a manager so he agreed and they paid for his train fare up.

“We’ve been in Moray ever since really.”

The shop’s interior has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s.

Its cosy booths and retro jukebox have become much-loved and familiar features which regulars are fiercely defensive of.

And while there have been some changes to the shop’s menu in terms of pricing and additions, the recipe for their iconic fish supper has not changed.

Michael believes keeping the shop as authentic as possible and in turn keeping his customers happy is the secret behind its longevity and success.

He continued: “We’re always asked what our secret ingredient is but I can’t tell them.

“I just stick to grandfather’s batter and that’s the way it’s always been.

“We’ve had the same jukebox since 1959 as well. We moved it once to test out a digital jukebox.

“I wasn’t going to replace it but one of our customers came in and noticed it and he demanded we remove it and bring back the old one.

“It was taken away pretty quickly after that so the old jukebox has had a great run.

“Whenever there has been a thought about modernising, the customers have told us to leave it alone.

“Maybe some people think the seats aren’t too comfortable but as my dad said, people don’t tend to sit for too long anyway.

“The customers just want it to stay the same. It’s about that nostalgia and authenticity.”

The shop has played host to many famous faces over the years.

Actress Tilda Swinton, who has starred in films such as Doctor Strange and The Chronicles of Narnia, has been known to stop by with her family for a meal.

Zara Tindall, granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has also frequented the shop as has former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson.

But some of Michael’s fondest memories come from his day-to-day interactions with his regular customers.

He reminisced: “I’ve really enjoyed how friendly everyone has been over the years and talking about their memories of the place.

“It’s so nice to hear how important this place has been to people. We’ve had so many people get engaged here for example.

“The Northern is The Northern you know. It’s got a lot of history.

“Elgin has been so good to me. I’ve worked here since I left school in 1970 and I took over in 1995 so it has been a huge part of my life.

“I’m always asked if I’ll go back to Italy but you can’t beat Elgin. It’s a nice calm place.”

Michael informed his staff about the closure on Wednesday (July 31).

The shop is up for sale for £295,000 but will close at the end of this month regardless of whether a buyer is found.

Michael added: “I just can’t thank the customers enough because they’ve been so loyal.

“I can’t predict the future but I hope that it can continue as a fish and chip shop.”