New Trident Fish & Grill store to open in time for the school holidays

The Trident Fish & Grill will open with plenty of colour and fun during the school holidays on Tuesday, July 9.

The opening will feature activities for children and families in the laneway beside the restaurant, and will be MC'd by Australian television personality, Mike Goldman.

Trident is a fourth generation family business which has spent more than 20 years in operating on the Northern Rivers.

About 35 staff have been hired and will be trained over the next two weekends.

The toilet block at the back of the building has been rebuilt with a massive coolroom and inside dining area.

"Everything has gone to plan," owner Chris Photiou said.

"All the tradesmen we used were from Lismore and it's been great watching the space come together."

Trident is set up to allow school-aged kids part time work with seven staff per shift.

He said having 45 staff members allows the team to enjoy a healthy work-life balance.

Chris said he has plenty of confidence opening a new store at Lismore as it continues in its flood recovery.

"I'd encourage anyone to come to Lismore and open a business," he said.

"I did have some people asking why we would come here and not Ballina.

"I don't think they realise what's happening in town, it's back, people still think flood, but things are moving here."

Trident has a long history which spans five decades.

Chris's father, Tony, opened the family's first Trident Fish Bar in Eastbourne in England in 1984.

In 1991, when the family migrated to Australia, they opened the Trident Fish Bar International at Queenscliff in Victoria.

A decade later they moved to Ballina and opened the Trident under the Big Prawn in 2001.

In 2019 they relocated the store to Alstonville where it has been a valuable addition to the community.

Chris said he had always wanted to open a store in Lismore.

"We've always been connected to Lismore, it is a very community-oriented town,'' he said.

"We grew up on the North Coast and we live 15 minutes away.''

When the floods hit, they helped the community by using the store to cook meals.

It helped feed displaced residents in the emergency shelters.

Chris said he loves carrying on his family tradition in hospitality and serving food.

"Food is a way for people to come together,'' he said.

"Obviously, with our Greek heritage, that's what food is all about.''

"There's not many places you can go and know you are going to get good fish and chips."

"But I guarantee The Trident Fish & Grill is one of them. "We only use wild-caught fish from Australia and New Zealand, and we make everything from scratch, right down to the batter."

Opening day activities run from 11am to 2pm.