A POPULAR fish and chip shop has been saved from going out of business after its parent company went into administration.

The award-winning Wee Hurrie, in Troon, Ayrshire, look to be heading towards dishing up its last fish supper, but has been spared after being sold to a company formed by the directors James and John MacCallum.

The Wee Hurrie, the nearby the Oyster Bar Restaurant and the Coffee, Chocolate and Tea in Glasgow were all pulled from the fryer by the deal, saving 37 jobs.

However, the MacCallums of Troon wholesale business and the Wee Fry fish shop in Bearsden have closed their doors after a buyer failed to be found, with the loss of eight posts.

MacCallums of Troon was founded by brothers James and John MacCallum more than 30 years ago. Initially trading as fish and chip shop operators, they moved into wholesaling to supply their own outlets, as well as other restaurants.

The firm was one of the best-known fish and shellfish suppliers in Scotland, but ran into financial difficulties after its profits were battered by bad debts.

The seafood supplier, whose client list included a "who's who" of leading fish restaurants, was owed money by several creditors, mostly thought to be other suppliers, and also faced competitions from UK-wide chains in recent years.

Ian Wright and Scott Milne of WRI Associates Limited were appointed Joint Administrators of MacCallums of Troon Limited on 4 June 2015.

They released a statement yesterday, saying they were "pleased to announce that they have completed a sale of certain parts of the business and assets previously operated by MacCallums of Troon Limited."

It added: "The Wee Hurrie fish and chip shop and the Oyster Bar Restaurant, both in Troon, and Coffee, Chocolate and Tea in Glasgow, together with certain other assets, were sold to MacCallums of Troon Retail Limited on Friday 3 July, preserving two very popular businesses and securing the jobs of 37 employees.

"Regrettably, despite significant initial interest, the Joint Administrators were unable to find a buyer for the wholesale operations carried out from Houldsworth Street or the Wee Fry fish and chip shop in Bearsden which have now ceased trading.

"This has resulted in 8 members of staff being made redundant."

It also highlighted the difficulties faced by the firm in recent months, saying that it has been "profitable". The statement continued: "The Joint Administrators believe that the customer profile of the wholesale business, with certain customers failing to pay on time, or indeed failing to pay at all, for fish and shellfish supplied by MacCallums, both contributed to the Administrators' appointment, and the ultimate lack of interest in the wholesale operations.

"The Joint Administrators are grateful to the company's staff for their efforts and commitment during what was an uncertain few weeks and to those suppliers and customers who supported the business."