Fish and Chip shops

From Canada: my mother's family had a fish / fish & chips shop in Coventry run by my great uncle Jack (John) Brown. During the 50s and 60s when things were still a bit hard in Coventry and people were on half-time, the shop kept going and kept a few people employed. It was a longstanding business and continued for at least two generations, with one daughter owning her own shop. I wonder if any photos exist of the shop(s) or perhaps someone remembers its name? Am trying to locate family. Many thanks.

Brown's Fish Saloon was at 142 Spon Street. There's a picture and related story of the shop in John Ashby's book "Spon Street and Spon End" (A family history viewpoint). I don't know of any picture online. That part of Spon Street was intentionally run down by the council once the ring road and council estate had been built and many famous businesses which once thrived there no longer exist. The timber-frame of the shop itself was dismantled and re-erected at 16 Spon Street as part of the 1980s Townscape Scheme but is now largely unrecognisable from the outside. The fish saloon was a two-storey building with windows on the upper floor where the diners ate. The present building is a single storey affair.

As always dutchman - sterling work! Mary, if you'd like to see a fairly recent picture of what remains of that shop, I have a photo of number 16 on my Spon Street gallery, about half way down that page, including a photo of the explanatory plaque.... https://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/tour/content.php?pg=spon-st-left Of course, I'd never have known that without dutchman's fine research. Cheers, Rob

Hi Mary, I have only just realised that your uncle John also had a shop along the Foleshill Road, it was a house, converted room into a shop,and from there it was faggot & pea batches, pies, it was next door to a pub, and across from the Wheatsheaf. I know because I worked there also. Marg.

Many (many!) years ago, as a child in the 50's, I recall being taken to a restaurant - possibly somewhere near where New Buildings now is. I'm sure it was on the right-hand side as you walked from Broadgate. It was always packed, and long queues would form out in the street. Waitresses would stand at the door and call "Table for two?" or "Table for four?" - then leading the customers inside to their seat at tables with tablecloths. I recall having fish & chips (could be a clue!) with a slice of buttered bread - but can't ever remember eating anything else on my occasional visits there. Would this have been an early location of Fishy Moores - or some other eatery? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks Tony

Yes it was Fishy Moores. I used to eat there too and it was considered something of a treat at the time.

Thanks dutchman. Was it actually where I remembered it to be? i.e. on the right where New Buildings now is.

Yes it was in New Buildings itself and some way down on the right as you approach from the direction of Trinity Street.

My memories of Fishy Moores go back to when I was fifteen years old and employed as an electricians "gofor", I had pushed the iron wheeled handcart through town from Walsall Conduits in Queen Victoria Rd with the cables and such as was needed for the job (80p for a 48 hr week) and walking into the restaurant I was fascinated by the huge aquarium which was set into one of the walls and all the tables and chairs laid out. I had never been in a restaurant before and couldn't believe the luxury. How times change! Alan

There was a good fish and chip shop in Paynes Lane. The owner was the brother of Reg Dixon, the Coventry comedian. I'm not sure, but I think it was called 'Frank' Dixons. I can't remember how long it was there but I think it was there around 1948-50.

Just been to mine (has been favourite for many many years) Hipswell Highway!

Ooh.... that's made me feel like a chip butty! (And before you beat me to it.... I already look like one!!!) The Barras chippy used to have a reputation as one of the best in the city, but our current favourite is the one at the Empress Buildings, Binley Road.

From the late 70s, the BAR-B-Q on Ansty Rd near the Annexe, also remember one on or near Queen Victoria Rd, kind of near where the Town Crier is. Any ideas?

You can't mean the one in Barras Lane Rob? I think that closed in the 1960s. 103-105 Queen Victoria Road. Last owner was a Mr Socratis Chambris. Can't find any business name. Don't have a favourite chippy myself at the moment. For a time it was Zuleika's Plaice in Minster Road but that's since changed hands several times. Have been using the chip shop in Broomfield Road (currently known as Gill's) on and off since I first arrived in the UK more than fifty years ago!

No, it's the one that I think is still at Barras Green, Stoke.... where Mercer Avenue meets the top of Clay Lane/Stoke Row. It used to be nice to have a 5p bag of chips on the way back from playing at the park if ever I strayed that far!