History of Fishy Moores, Coventry’s most famous chippy, in photos.

It was an institution in the city for almost a hundred years, but is unfortunately no more.

But for 120 years, it was one of Coventry’s most cherished and revered restaurants, a destination all our own.

What recollections do you have of Fishy Moores? Please let us know in the comments.

 

This shop has established a reputation as one of the city’s most popular businesses. It also gained popularity with a steadfastly Coventry-centric approach – a location that, like the city that housed it, reinvented itself throughout its long history.

In the late 1800s, Coventry looked substantially different from what it does today. Butcher Row, a well-known mediaeval street that has since been razed, was a hive of activity thanks to bustling commercial companies with a long history.

The theory is that if Butcher Row still existed today, it would be a Coventry version of York’s The Shambles.

The Moore family built two enterprises on Butcher Row: one selling cakes and the other next door selling fish.

Moores Cake Shop and Moores Fish Shop were abbreviated and exchanged, as is common, and became Cakey Moores and Fishy Moores, respectively. The latter gained fame, but by the 1930s, a new home was required.

We are all aware that Coventry was destroyed by the Blitz of World War Two, but Butcher Row had already been demolished in the years preceding the outbreak of war – a decision to knock it down to make way for Trinity Road and a general widening of the streets due to the unstoppable rise of the motorcar is one that conservationists and history buffs continue to object to.

However, Fishy Moores was a thriving business, so it relocated to new premises at the unimaginatively titled New Buildings.

Jack Moore, the owner at the time, was overseas fighting for his nation during the war, but his wife Rose stayed and ran the business, as many spouses were compelled to do.

During this time, Fishy Moores most certainly solidified its reputation as a popular spot among city residents when it opened and gave out free fish and chips to those assisting with the endeavour of clearing wreckage and making people safe in the aftermath of the November 1940 Blitz.

However, in the late 1960s, it relocated to Fairfax Street, where it became genuinely renowned among Coventrians today.

It blossomed in larger spaces and became the location we all remember and love. Its proximity to Coventry Baths made it a natural stop for many people after swimming on a Saturday morning.

For many Coventrians, this is why the distinct chlorine scent of swimming pairs so well with the aroma of fish and chips heavily seasoned with salt and vinegar – to this day, it is nearly impossible for me to go swimming without stopping at the chippy. I believe you will agree that it is somewhat unproductive.

Fishy Moores, which was now controlled by a larger corporation after the aforementioned Jack Moore retired in 1970, was forced to relocate due to regeneration once more.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, sections of Fairfax Street were removed to make room for Millennium Place and Priory Place.

Fishy Moores was compelled to relocate, much as Butcher Row had been 70 years previously, this time to Coventry Arcade.

However, it never felt as if there was the same magic there, and the company faltered, eventually failing in 2009.

But for 120 years, it was one of Coventry’s most cherished and revered restaurants, a destination all our own. What recollections do you have of Fishy Moores? Please let us know in the comments.

Fishy

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Fishy Moores. Rose Moore with long queues at the New Buildings premises that closed in 1969.

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