Colmans Fish & Chips Marks Centenary by Confirming Its Future at Fenwick
Two of the north east’s most famous family businesses are making their partnership permanent following a successful first 12 months.
As it celebrates its centenary year, South Shields’ legendary Colmans Fish & Chips has confirmed it will remain a permanent fixture inside Newcastle’s Fenwick department store, becoming an official concession from February 28.
The multi award-winning fish and chip shop opened its first restaurant outside South Tyneside in March 2025 with a bold extension into the prestigious city centre store, following a six-figure investment.
Serving up a fresh take on the nation’s favourite dish, it quickly proved to be a firm favourite with diners keen to taste Colmans’ acclaimed tried and tested menu - and as a result, Richard Colman, Director at Colman’s Fish & Chips has confirmed the brand is there to stay.
“Opening our first branch outside of South Tyneside was a huge step for us and we knew it could only be done if we found the perfect partnership, one that aligned with our own values,” he said.
“Not only is Fenwick the most famous department store in the region, it’s a family business like ourselves so it was the perfect fit. “We were always confident this partnership would be successful but it’s exceeded all expectations. We’ve welcomed thousands of visitors, we’ve created dozens of jobs and we’ve quickly established ourselves as an integral part of the Fenwick family and the Newcastle dining scene.
“I am delighted that Colmans Fish & Chips is now a permanent part of the Fenwick experience and it comes at a very important time for us, as we celebrate our centenary year.”
Kieran McBride, Store Director at Fenwick added: “We were delighted to welcome Colmans to Fenwick last year, and it’s fantastic to see the partnership become a permanent part of our Newcastle store.
“Fenwick has long championed unexpected and locally meaningful collaborations, and from day one Colmans proved to be a natural fit. As a much-loved North East institution with a reputation for serving the region’s finest fish and chips, it resonated immediately with our customers.
Colmans’ heritage as a family-founded North East brand aligns closely with our own values, and we’re incredibly proud to be continuing this partnership on a long-term basis.”
The Colmans story began in a small shack on the South Shields seafront in 1905 before the family opened its first restaurant in Ocean Road in 1926. The next big move came in 2017 when the family opened Colmans Seafood Temple, utilising an iconic 1930s neo-classical building overlooking the sea.
To mark 100 years of business, the Colman family has a host of events planned throughout 2026. Last month, they kicked the celebrations off with a sold-out event at The Customs House, South Shields, featuring a screening of the film Local Heroes: Out and About with Colmans along with a live podcast and Q&A session.
To discover more or make a reservation at Colmans Fish & Chips at Fenwick, click here: https://fenwick.co.uk/pages/colmans-at-fenwick-newcastle.
