It was an honour say Colmans as fish and chips get Royal seal of approval
Everyone from Hillary Clinton to James Corden has tucked into their fish lots - now Colmans has the Royal seal of approval.
This year marks 100 years since Colmans opened its first fish and chip shop in Ocean Road and, as part of the centenary celebrations, The Princess Royal visited the Seafood Temple for a special lunch.
Princess Anne was greeted by brothers Richard and Dom Ord, who are fifth generation fryers, before heading inside the temple to sample the fish and chips amongst invited guests and dignitaries, including Mayor of South Tyneside, Cllr Jay Potts, and Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear, Lucy Winskell.
Following her lunch, Princess Anne visited South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade’s headquarters to mark the 160th year since the founding of the sea and clifftop life saving organisation.
Her Royal Highness asked the brothers about the history of the temple and said “So I gather” when she was introduced to Richard Jnr and told almost everyone in the family is called Richard Ord.
“It’s a great honour to welcome the Princess Royal and showcase our fish and chips and South Shields,” said Richard Jnr.
Colmans have been serving fish and chips to the people of South Shields since 1905 with humble beach shack beginnings.
It was in 1926 when they launched their takeaway and sit in restaurant, Colmans Fish and Chips in Ocean Road, which was their only venue until 2017 when they expanded the business with Colmans Seafood Temple, giving new life to Gandhi’s Temple.
Last year, they opened their first venture north of the Tyne with a restaurant within Fenwick which has become hugely popular.
“We’ve already had a really exciting year,” said Richard Jnr. “We sold out a show at the Customs House with Local Heroes, we’re staying at Fenwick long term to mark our 100th year, we’ve got the Royal visit and loads of other exciting stuff coming up for the rest of the year in the pipeline, too.”
The businessman added: “We’re so proud to be a part of this community because they have always backed us for 100 years - they’re a huge part of our story and we’ll forever be grateful for it.”
The Princess Royal presented Richard Ord Snr with his MBE in 2021 for services to hospitality and regeneration in South Tyneside - and he says it was great to meet her again.
He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic - what a great day. We’re so proud to have the Princess Royal here. Not just for Colmans to celebrate the centenary, but for South Tyneside - it’s wonderful.”
He added: “We have done two outside things for the Royal family before, which was in Rome to celebrate the Queen’s birthday and another one in Guatemala , but this is the first time we’ve had a member of the Royal family in the restaurant.”
Commitment to the community
Ray Spencer was among the invited guests for the lunch at Colmans Seafood Temple.
“It must be so special for the family to have a member of the Royal family here, not far from where their grandmother started Colmans. There’s so much history here,” he said.
“The Ord family have had such commitment to the community over the years and it’s great to see that celebrated, they do so much for South Shields.”
And Ray’s go to Colmans order?
“I’ve never had a bad lunch there - but what I’d highly recommend is their mushy pea fritters, they’re a must have.”