New owners are preparing to take over one of the Isle of Wight's most popular late-night takeaways — Bitesize in Newport — as the man at the helm for the past 15 years, bids a fond farewell.
Ken Knowles — or Kenny to his many customers — has announced he has flipped his last burger and is selling the St James' Square business.
"It's turned out to be a lovely little business", Ken told the County Press.
"I've seen lots of kids come and go, made a lot friends and permanent customers who come every week.
Read more: Bitesize dilemma — overnight takeaway business hit by 10pm curfew
"I've got to the point where I can look up in the queue and generally start preparing their meal."
Two Islanders: Ryde's Jay Smith-Dowse and Marcus Davey, from Newport, are buying the takeaway from Ken.
Contracts have not yet been signed, but when they are, the pair plan to rename it in his honour.
It's called Bitesize but, affectionately, it's known as Kenny's - after the man who started it. Soon, that will be its official name.
Marcus said: "Since Ken has done a fantastic job and he's built an amazing community around the place, we're going to be naming it Kenny's.
"We're going to be repainting it, redecorating it and we're going to have a lovely new sign that says Kenny's welcoming us all."
As well as serving overnight on weekends, Jay, 30, and Marcus, 26, plan to open the business seven-days-a-week.
"It's just a great little business", Jay said.
"I've known Kenny for quite a long time now. He's a good friend and I have worked in there at various points while he's owned it.
"After finding out it was for sale, I did a bit of digging and spoke to an investor friend and worked out it was a no brainer really."
The pair have gone into business with silent partner Magnus Gundersen of Balder Capital Limited, who is also linked to a new foot passenger catamaran ferry launching between Yarmouth and Lymington next year.
As it did in years gone by, the takeaway will soon sell fresh donuts during the day. Crepes will also be on the menu.
For Ken, who opened the business in 2008, now is the right time to say goodbye.
He said: "I turn 66 in September. I've worked for long enough in my life, the numbers just about stack up so I can just about afford to, why not do it?
"I can go and play a lot of golf and enjoy the rest of my time on this planet!"
Ken moved to the Island from South Africa in 1997, and spent ten years in the motoring trade before opening Bitesize.
Over the years it has proved particularly popular among Islanders enjoying a night out on the town - especially given it is one of the few takeaways on the Island allowed to serve into the early hours.
Ken said: "People always say I must be mad to be dealing with all the drunken people but without drunken people I wouldn't have a business.
"On a Saturday night, they queue up past the pole so it's worked out well. It didn't happen overnight. Originally I had no night-time trade to speak of.
"It's built up over the years to a stage now where I'm very fortunate to have a 24-hour license."
Continuing where Ken left off, Jay and Marcus are promising to serve good food at affordable prices.
An opening date has not yet been confirmed, but the pair are hoping it will be in the next week or so.
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