Fish and Chip shops

Ah, The North St chippy. The couple who owned it were a very, very nice couple. I was a regular there for years and done some decorating for them, I was an apprentice at the time. They could not have children but would have made excellent parents. I courted my wife in Gt. Yarmouth but one weekend my car had broke down so was unable to go that weekend. The couple from the chippy offered me the use of their car for the weekend so I could still go to see my girlfriend but I refused, saying I could not afford the petrol. "No problem" they said "The tank is full and do not bother refilling it". I still refused because I knew I might kill myself, it was a new 2.6 or 2.8ltr Jaguar. I thought the world of that husband and wife team. Sad they are gone but so glad I knew them.

"Lockwoods" (I found the name while researching the neighbouring Howitzer Club). Yes, they were excellent!

My two daughters and I used to go there some years ago after shopping at Fine Fare. We always had the Potato Surprise and the Chick King fried chicken. The people who ran it were very friendly and the food was always tasty. I like fried food which is probably why I look like I do. I haven't been in recently so I don't know whether it is still the same people or not.

Following my earlier post - not sure about favourite but most infamous for me would have to be The Parsons' Nose in Bishop Street. My 'yoof' years were in the 80's when 'Battleground Burges' became as infamous as much as the rest of town for the amount of trouble at closing time. The amount of pubs/clubs combined with fast food establishments and the taxi rank in the Burges meant the place was fairly notorious come 02:00am Sunday morning. I was not the only one there to be served by 'that' lady behind the counter. In fact The Specials song 'Friday Night, Saturday Morning' even paid homage to the experience after a night out at The Locarno. Here's the lyrics which just about sum up my experiences at the time as a teen who like almost all others at the time were only interested in going out / getting legless and 'pulling the birds' (sorry to say). Out of bed at eight am Out my head by half past ten Out with mates and dates and friends That's what I do at weekends I can't talk and I can't walk But I know where I'm going to go I'm going watch my money go At the Locarno, no When my feet go through the door I know what my right arm is for Buy a drink and pull a chair Up to the edge of the dance floor Bouncers bouncing through the night Trying to stop or start a fight I sit and watch the flashing lights Moving legs in footless tights I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning I like to venture into town I like to get a few drinks down The floor gets packed the bar gets full I don't like life when things get dull The hen party have saved the night And freed themselves from drunken stags Having fun and dancing in A circle round their leather bags I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning But two o'clock has come again It's time to leave this paradise Hope the chip shop isn't closed Cos' their pies are really nice I'll eat in the taxi queue Standing in someone else's spew Wish I had lipstick on my shirt Instead of p**s stains on my shoes I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning

This message edited 26th Feb 2012 by Moderator

I did about two years on nights at 'erberts, and a mate and I used to take it in turns to nip out at 'lunch' time to pick up chips and (often) faggots from the Parson's Nose. They must have stayed open pretty late in the mid-seventies. I can't remember what the elapsed times were but we used to time each other on our Bonnies. I must have regularly smashed the speed limit to bits on the Foleshill Road. Didn't see much other traffic though, thankfully. I also used to use the Wolston chipoil too as my cousin owns the Old Post Office just over the road. It was also the bakery at one point and belonged to a husband and wife team who were distant relatives of ours.

Whilst I'm waiting for the elusive photo of the Francis Barnett factory to appear I thought I'd ask if anyone remembers a Fish and Chip shop in Cox Street that my grandparents supposedly ran? My dad passed away 2 years ago and I never had the discussions we all no doubt wish we'd had about the past. I don't know if they owned it or simply ran it and I'm pretty sure it was before the war. They were both born in 1902, and my dad in '39 so it was most likely late 20s or 30s. I don't know if it survived the bombing or carried on in other ownership.

The shop on the right looks very much like the window of a fish & chip shop to me: If it survived the war it would have been demolished in the very early 1960s to make way for the Lanchester College. I lived nearby from 1960 onwards and have no memory of there being a chip shop in Cox Street. I also think the street number marked on that photograph is wrong. It's more likely to be 13 than 31, between Jordan Well and Freeth Street. If so it was definitely destroyed in the war.

Pre and post war maps of the part of Cox Street I think is shown in the above photograph. I've marked the approximate position of No 13 in red:

I remember a cooked meat shop at about the location Dutchman has indicated. It was the highlight of my Saturday, in about 1947, to come out of the Gaumont sixpenny rush on Saturday morning and get a hot faggot batch from there before going home.

Hello Everyone I've been an avid reader of this site for some years and have finally taken the plunge and registered. Our favourite chippy is Binley Mega Chippy. Everything I've tasted has been fantastic. Not sure whether I should post a message to introduce myself. Would be happy to do so if that's usual protocol Paula

Hi & so pleased to see you posting, Rosie. When I visit my builder friend, I have often enjoyed good fish & chips from there. As you respond to threads & post your own issues, we will be learning all about you, as you will of us. We want you to enjoy sharing with us. There are some lovely ladies who you will see on here from time to time. Some living in the Coventry area & some overseas. Our Historic Forum Family. Best wishes to you from the Team & all members.

The Empress Fish Bar was always top chip shop for me but in the 70's the chip shop owned by George Curtis in Somerville Road used to sell the most delicious pork and chips. I don't recall any other chip shops in Coventry selling such a rare delicacy at the time!

When we were younger we used to walk from Torcross Ave (where we lived) to Poets Corner to collect my cousins then walk all the way to Stoke Aldermoor to see our grandparents. We always had a scallop batch from the Hipswell Highway chippy on the way home if we didn't moan!!! Leanne

We don't have a fish and chip shop in Allesley Village but The Rainbow pub does them on Friday night to take away or eat there. They are delicious - the fish melts in the mouth! Good ale as well!

Sounds divine Paula