THE owner of a fish and chip restaurant has found his own cure for the drop off in footfall in Bolton town centre in recent years.

Tasos Pattichis is running bus trips to Bolton where visitors are encouraged to visit attractions like the revamped market as well as tuck into the fayre served up at the Olympus Fish and Chip Takeaway.

In addition, the 55-year-old is also bussing his customers to their favourite destinations around the country from the Great Moor Street restaurant – with toasted tea cakes, tea or coffee thrown in to send them on their way.

“It all started five years ago when I decided to do something about bringing people to Bolton,” said Mr Pattichis.

“I went to exhibitions as far away as Westminster and Durham to discover how to attract people to Bolton and to check out places as potential destinations for the customers who come into the restaurant regularly.

“In the first year, I lost money, but in the second year I made small profit. In the third year, I ran 150 coaches to Bolton from places like Birmingham, Walsall and Stoke-on-Trent.

“The visitors would stay over in Manchester, but Bolton would be included in the itinerary.”

The trend has continued, but this year Mr Pattichis launched Tasos Tours with trips to Trentham Gardens, Skipton Llandudno, Oswaldtwistle Mills, Albert Dock in Liverpool, Dagfields Antiques and Craft Fair in Cheshire, Ulverston, and Chester.

“All the coach trips have been fully booked,” said Mr Pattichismm, who took the business over from his Greek parents Michael and Olga in 1999 after it moved from the Olympus Grill in Churchgate to the current premises.

“In business, you always have to be thinking ahead,” said Mr Pattichis. “If you stand still you go backwards.

“After we moved to Great Moor Street, the restaurant became so popular I started doing deliveries for orders of 25 portions or more.

“We delivered to housing associations, old people’s homes, birthday parties and other large gatherings.

“It was after that I hit on the coach idea. But I have personally visited all the destinations we run trips to. I am confident of the quality of what we are offering.”

Forthcoming trips in 2015 include York (January 24), Cadburys World (February 18), Cheshire Oaks (March 14), Bowness on Windermere (April 8), Martin Mere (May 20), a Mystery Tour (June 10), Trentham Gardens (July 29), Skipton (August 26), Llandudno (September 17), and Boundary Mill (October 17).

More information is available from the restaurant by calling 01204 523887 or emailing info@olympusfishandchips.co.uk