Nation’s favourite gets Royal seal of approval

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visits Colmans of South Shields

The centenary celebrations are in full swing at one of the most famous names in North East hospitality after an historic royal visit helped to mark 100 years of award-winning fish and chips on South Tyneside.

Colmans of South Shields opened its Ocean Road restaurant in 1926 — launching what has become a fifth-generation family business renowned for serving up the nation’s favourite.

And a century down the line Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal enjoyed a traditional fish and chip lunch at Colmans Seafood Temple, alongside guests from across South Tyneside’s business community.

“In 2021 The Princess Royal presented our father, Richard Ord Snr, with his MBE for services to hospitality and regeneration in South Tyneside,” explained Richard Colman Ord, director of Colmans.

“This feels like a full circle moment and it’s a very proud day for the Colman family and for the people of South Shields.

“We feel extremely privileged to serve our signature dish to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and I know how much this means to the family, our wonderful staff and our loyal customers.

“Fish and chips is the nation’s favourite dish for a reason and we will continue to ensure it’s served to the highest standards across our North East restaurants, using the very best locally sourced ingredients.”

As The Princess Royal enjoyed Colmans’ signature dish of fish and chips with tartare sauce, she was keen to learn more about the sustainability at the heart of Colmans’ world-famous menus.

Prior to sitting down to lunch, Colmans’ special guest met business leaders including Paul Williams (chairman of fish and chip industry supplier KFE), Ian Wright (owner of Rufus Creative Design), William Colbeck (chairman of Henry Colbeck), Andrew Crook (president of the National Federation of Fish Friers), Kieran McBride (store director of Fenwick Newcastle) and Craig Collins (MD of Collins Seafoods).

The Princess Royal’s visit represents a key milestone in Colmans’ centenary celebrations with a series of major events and landmark moments planned throughout the year.

Her Royal Highness was given an insight into the Colmans Foundation — a grants-based charitable trust due to launch within the next few weeks — and told of plans to create a seafront coastal village, including retail outlets and beach huts, adjacent to the Seafood Temple.

Those plans were approved by South Tyneside Council towards the end of last year and work is expected to get underway this summer.

“For 100 years we have sought to celebrate the heritage of South Shields, its beautiful sea front and its world-famous fishing traditions,” added Richard Colman Ord.

“We are constantly looking at new ways to support our community and showcase our town — launching the Colmans Foundation in our centenary year seemed like the perfect way to give back to the people who have supported the business for generations.

“We’re looking forward to revealing more detail around the foundation very soon and we will be inviting applications for grants from a wide range of smaller charities, community organisations and individuals across South Tyneside.”

Colmans established its first permanent fish and chip restaurant on Ocean Road in South Shields in 1926. In 2017 the family-run business transformed the town’s historic seafront bandstand building into the iconic Seafood Temple restaurant.

Last year Colmans moved north of the Tyne for the first time — opening a pop-up restaurant within the Fenwick department store in the heart of Newcastle. Earlier this year it was revealed that a successful partnership will continue indefinitely.

“Although we always have one eye on expansion and exploring new opportunities, we will never lose our focus when it comes to serving traditional fish and chips and fresh seafood and maintaining our reputation for family-friendly hospitality,” added Richard.

“Welcoming Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Seafood Temple has allowed us to shine a light on South Shields and celebrate the start of our centenary celebrations in style. It’s a day the family, our friends and fellow members of the South Tyneside business community will never forget.”