FROM THE TEMPLE TO THE PALACE

COLMAN FAMILY INVITED TO FIRST ROYAL GARDEN PARTY OF THE SEASON

The North East family behind Colmans’ world famous fish and chips has been rubbing shoulders with the Royal Family for the second time in a matter of weeks!

April saw HRH The Princess Royal stop off at Colmans Seafood Temple, in South Shields, to savour a plate of freshly caught cod with chips and mushy peas.

And this month Princess Anne was able to return the favour as brothers Richard and Dominic Colman Ord and their partners attended Buckingham Palace’s first garden party of the summer.

King Charles and Prince Edward joined their sister — and other senior royals — at the event recognising and rewarding public service.

And Richard Colman Ord admitted: “As the fifth generation of South Shields Colmans it was a great honour to represent our family at the Palace.

“It was an amazing day and a little bit different to hosting HRH The Princess Royal at our restaurant!

“It was a truly memorable experience to meet King Charles and share a few words on what we do and what our family business means to us.

“As we celebrate our centenary it’s moments like this that will live with us forever and we’re extremely proud to represent South Shields and South Tyneside on the national stage.”

Richard’s partner, Alex, and Dominic’s partner, Georgia, joined fellow guests in the grounds of the Palace after accepting an invitation from Ms Lucy Winskell, Lord Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear.

Each summer the Sovereign traditionally hosts three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.

Historically, garden parties took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes and have evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service. 

The Colmans were among the first guests from across the North East set to attend the King’s garden parties this summer — all of whom are well known for making a difference to their local communities.

Princess Anne’s visit to the Seafood Temple last month attracted global attention with pictures of her arriving at the seafront restaurant appearing as far afield as North America and South East Asia.

A memorable day marked the start of a series of events celebrating 100 years of Colmans fish and chips in South Shields — and shed further light on plans to launch the Colmans Foundation.

Richard and Dominic continue to diversify after opening their pop-up restaurant in Fenwick last year. It has since been announced that the partnership has become permanent.

Plans have also been approved to develop the site adjacent to the Seafood Temple into a series of family-friendly beach front huts and commercial units designed to create a new ‘coastal village’.

“We were able to tell the King about some of the things that we’re doing but we didn’t have time to go into all of it,” added Richard. “He’s a busy man!

“Safe to say there will be plenty happening throughout our centenary year. The focus right now is on breaking ground on the coastal village and giving the Colmans Foundation the launch it deserves. Watch this space!”