A FISH and chip shop in the West Midlands has gone viral on social media, amassing almost 160,000 followers on TikTok in a few days.

Merchants Fish and Chips in Bewdley has taken the internet by storm. 

Destiny Harolld has worked at Merchants since she was 16 and has now become synonymous with fish and chips to TikTok users following her viral videos.

The 20-year-old works with Mitch Key to make the majority of Merchant’s recent viral videos, with people on the video-sharing platform even dressing up as her for Halloween.

The family-run business has been in the town for over 40 years, with owner Antony Akathiotis having taken over the reins from his dad when he was 21.

Mr Akathiotis described his shop’s national sudden popularity as “mental” and says he is determined to use the internet fame to “help put Bewdley on the map”.

The 42-year-old said: “Something just went bang and here we are with over 150,000 followers.

“People love British Tradition and that’s what we are as a fish-n-chip shop, at the end of the day.

“It’s amazing and we want to now put something back into the town.

“Bewdley’s a cool town, but people don’t know about it.”

@merchants_fishandchips Ordering some Battered Chips 😋 Have you had battered Chips before? - #fishandchips #fish #foodie #food #foodporn #seafood #chips #instafood #takeaway #merchantsfishbar #foodstagram #foodblogger #eatlocal #dinner #foodlover #fishnchips #delicious #yummy #chippytea #fishnchips #tasty #supportlocal #chippychips #restaurant #ifyourehungry ♬ original sound - Merchants Fish & Chips

Mr Akathiotis added: “Destiny is such a lovely, genuine, hardworking girl and we want to support her.

“Destiny and Mitch work really well together, but social media can be a scary business.

“It does worry me, and we want to make sure we are protecting Destiny.

“But she’s loving it and she’s doing really well for herself off the back of it.”

Merchants have been supporting other local business in Bewdley and showcasing some Black Country classics, like orange chips, to the rest of the UK.

Mr Akathiotis said he has had influencers get in touch asking to collaborate with the chippy and has had customers travel from as far as Buckinghamshire to try one of their small haddock meals, which seems to be a popular choice.

Merchants want to give back some of the love to local businesses in Bewdley, such as The Green CobblerMerchants want to give back some of the love they've received online to local businesses in Bewdley, such as The Green Cobbler (Image: Merchants Fish and Chips) He credits his “amazing team” for their hard work and dedication in getting Merchants, who have a second site in Halesowen, to where it is and doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

He said: “We want to carry on, stay true to who we are as a company and encourage more people to shop locally in Bewdley.

“There’s a lot of cool, independent shops in Bewdley and we want to help out the small guys.

“We’re not just another trend that will die out.

“We’re here for the long run and will keep doing what we’re doing.”