South Shields institution set for royal seal of approval with princess visit
The Princess Royal will visit South Shields this week - and get to taste the delights of one of the town’s most famous restaurants.
A chippy famous for its VIP diners and a brave sea rescue team are set for the Royal seal of approval with a distinguished guest visit to South Tyneside.
The Princess Royal will lead double anniversary celebrations by attending Colmans fish and chip restaurant and the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade’s headquarters on Wednesday, April 1.
Her visit is in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Colmans opening in Ocean Road, South Shields, and the 160th year since the founding of the sea and clifftop life saving organisation.
The list of famous names to visit Colmans in South Shields
She is not the first well-known face to visit the eatery whose who’s who of celebrity clientele has shot it to good food fame in recent years.
They include former PM Tony Blair, TV star James Cordon, US politician Hilary Clinton, borough-born Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwell and actor Sir Patrick Stewart.
But she is the first royal to attend the life brigade’s historic Grade II listed Watch House HQ at South Shields’ South Pier.
Established in January 1866, the brigade remains one of only two operational such organisations in the UK.
While there, she is expected to meet its officers, volunteer rescuers and other brigade members, as well as civic dignitaries and schoolchildren.
Tom Fennelly, 79, the brigade’s honorary secretary, said he was thrilled the anniversary was being marked in such a momentous way.
He added: “We are all delighted that The Princess Royal is coming here. We are honoured that she will visit as part of our 160thanniversary.
“We are proud that our anniversary is being celebrated in this way and are very much looking forward to her visit.
“She will be meeting members of our operational team, officers and members past and present, as well as other guests, and she will be given a tour of the building.
“Children from three local schools who regularly use the Watch House to learn about its heritage will also be here.
“There is much to see, including the brigade’s artifacts, and memorabilia and photos.
“We will also be able to show The Princess Royal the work that we do.”
The history of Colmans - a South Shields institution
Colmans, which opened for business at a South Shields beach in 1905 and moved to its current Ocean Road premises in 1926, did not wish to comment.
However, it is understood its frying team are preparing a dish best served warm at around lunchtime.
The brand has become a household name due to its fine food and distinguished guest diners who have popped in for a bite over the past decade-and-a-half.
They have visited late evening after being guest speakers at Harton School’s annual South Shields Lecture, organised by former town MP David Miliband.
In 2017, Colmans opened a second restaurant, at the site of the former Ghandis Temple, next to Gypsies Green Stadium.
Buckingham Palace confirmed The Princess Royal’s visit on its website, but the timing or sequence has not been publicly revealed.