Fish and Chip shops

I'm afraid I don't even remember the Opera House Colin, let alone anything behind it?

Thanks Dutchman, well if you cannot remember or find anything related to the seafood plant I am scuppered, don't know where to look now. I have got the cinema correct location I hope? I thought the Opera House was next to the church on the corner of Bishop St and Corporation Street, there was a cafe next to the Opera that used to sell Kunzel cakes, full of chocolate, mmmm. Colin.

Hi Colin. There is a photo of the Opera House on here. Search The Royal Opera House.

You're correct about the location of the Opera House Colin but I'm unable to find any record of a seafood business in the area. Update: I did manage to find a planning record of a restaurant behind the Opera House in Silver Street circa 1953 called "The Snackery".

I have been having a look for information on Silver Street and then went off into all directions, I shall never get the housework done All sorts came up that I found interesting, although probably more likely to be some of your grandparent's stamping ground than recent history. However things developed more slowly in those days, businesses more static and easier to trace, people living in the same area etc. so a pattern can emerge sometimes, and I did find a distinctly 'fishy' connection with Silver Street. Better start with the earliest info that cropped up. New to me but I found 'Fishy Moore's' in Coventry Telegraph, advertised as early as 1893, 'Moore's City Oyster bar', 16 Butcher's Row, 'fried plaice and chipped potatoes' also, 'bookings for parties, soirees and Balls'. In 1911, at 27 Silver Street, a fish salesman called William Southall, and No.11, Frank Hubbard, Fish merchant. Couldn't help noticing 'The Jolly Weavers' pub at No.16, landlord Mr Thomas Yardley (I suspect the Weavers were thirsty but not very 'Jolly', bet it was hard work weaving in those days). Lastly, at 29, 'The Tramway Inn'. The Street doesn't appear to be very long, there seemed to be about 20 addresses but it brought the road to life for me. Maybe one of those fishmongers sold out to 'Moore's' as a preparation-depot? All before the First World War.

Ludicrous, I seem to be responding to myself, a thought though, when I think, Mr Southall in Silver Street, we used to shop in the fish market and I am sure it was 'Southalls'.

At one time there was also the Garibaldi Inn at No 31 next to the Old Grammar School.

Thanks Foxcote and Dutchman for your efforts on this one, I now know that the seafood plant was in Silver Street. I spoke to my brother today and he confirms the location. As to the name of the plant, he seems to think the name was Frank Hubbard, from what he tells me he also had a fish stall in the market across the road from the CET . He also said he recognised the other name William Southall. I was never sure on this one, I thought my dad used to sell fish, chips and seafood from a big van, it transpired he only sold seafood from this van, the side of the van folded down just like a fish and chip van, that's why I thought he sold fish and chips. My brother remembers my dad bringing home cockles for tea on a few occasions. So again it would appear I did not dream it up. I live in the hope that one day someone will have a picture or knowledge of the building. Thanks again for the interest. Colin.

Thanks to The Dutchman for supplying the 'town planning map' Silver Street, it endorsed my findings, The Jolly Weaver's etc. So, Radford Kid needs a photo of No.11 Silver Street, Mr Hubbard's business and residence in 1911. Maybe the 'Southalls' only being down the road at 27 have some vintage photo's, it's quite common to see a photo of a shop with a proud member of the family 'posing' outside. I found a website of the man that took over from Southalls and maybe you could explain your plight to them and get a result. The site has some old history of Southalls that may be of interest to you.

Oh, Radford Kid, Rupert Stephenson 's great grandmother was a Southall and started the business with her husband, the history of his family online mentions Silver Street, I note that he can be contacted at rupert@rupert-fish.co.uk, I bet there are photos of Silver Street in his family archive.

Thanks Foxcote, most informative, just need a little time to study, it's amazing that no one seems to remember the buildings, the main feature was the corrugated steel roof and from what my brother has said the mobile vans were garaged in a compound next to the building. Time will tell on this one. One day someone will remember the site. The Rupert Fish did not help, mainly about poultry I think? And good ol' Dutchman, don't know where he gets it from, that map was brill. Thanks Dutchman. Colin

I did find out one more thing about no.11, just after Frank Hubbard was noted on the 1911 census living there, I was looking in a trade directory 1912-3 and I found a Joseph Payne, fishmonger, 11 Silver Street So does that ring a bell I wonder. Where did Frank go? Just to confuse me all the more, I found James Hubbard (brother to Frank), same directory, Fish Fryer, Little Park Street 1912. Too many fishmongers to cope with, I'll call it a day and hope a photo turns up on here one day.

It looks like Silver street was filled with fishmongers of sorts. I don't think we are going further with this until maybe someone who has not been on this site before comes up with some new material, thanks Foxcote. Colin.

I wonder if Frank Hubbard was related to the 'Frank Hubbard greengrocer' whose shop was in Holbrook Lane. I remember the shop circa 1964, it may have been there many years before. When Frank either retired or died his son also called Frank took over the shop. The shop is now 'Hubbards Florists'. Just a thought.

I think you must be correct, there must be a link because I have found 'Frank Hubbard - Fishmonger', 28 Holbrook Lane, in Kelly's Trade Directory for 1940. I'll try to check the BMD's to see if our Silver Street Frank had a son.