Family chips in for business success

Photo: Picture: DARREN ROBINSON

Family affair . . . pictured (from the left) are Donna May, Gillian May, Rebecca May and Kirsty May.

The all-girl team at May’s chip shop and cafe in Shaw has been serving up success for almost five years.

Their excellent food, hygiene standards and care for their community have earned them a Pride in Oldham nomination.

The team is headed by owner Gillian May, who took over the Jubilee Street cafe, off Beal Lane, over 41/2 years ago.

Then there is daughter Becky (24), step-daughter Donna (36) and her daughter Kirsty (16).

Regulars come from Rochdale and Saddleworth for her famous pies. Gillian goes through 40 kilos of flour a week, and begins baking at 7.30 every morning, closing up as late as 8pm.

She also orders 42lb of fresh fish a week.

May’s has a top-rated, five-star standard from Oldham Council’s Scores on the Doors award, and also won a Safer Food Better Business award last year from environmental health officers.

In 2006 the cafe also made it into the top 10 for the Chip Shop of the Year in the North-West of England.

Staff also raise money for the Christie Hospital, with charity events, and take care of adults in supported housing near by, as well as keeping their eye on pensioner customers.

Gillian, who has been a pub and school-meals chef before, said: “A lot of people come back because of the service. We try and a have a laugh with everyone.

“We do get a lot of regulars, and new customers soon become regulars. We feel really settled here.”

Regulars Keith and Irene Wilde nominated May’s and said: “It has already won five stars from Oldham Council and rightly so.

“It does an excellent range of home-made pies, puddings, meals and deserts, but just as important is the excellent service and friendly staff.

“They will go that little bit further to accommodate people’s culinary desires with the warmest smiles.”