Colmans Fish & Chips

"Sustainability is a huge part of our ethos, with being into our fifth generation of the Colman family we want to ensure our business is sustainable for future generations to come. MSC plays a huge part in this, ensuring well-managed fishing stocks for years to come."

Richard Ord, Colmans Fish & Chips, South Shields - winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2020.

Ocean Ambassador Q&A

When and why did sustainability first become important to you?

Sustainability has always been important to us, so we decided to obtain MSC Chain of Custody certification and we were the first in England to do so! We are constantly looking for new ways to innovate and make our business more sustainable in all aspects.

How big a challenge for humankind is the protection of our oceans?

The protection of our oceans is absolutely paramount. They are being attacked on several levels - overfishing, pollution, acidification, global warming - to name but a few. It's imperative that we join together as an industry to raise the profile of these issues and combat them before it is too late.

Colmans has scooped multiple awards for its delicious seafood. What’s your top-selling dish?

Fish and chips of course!

You’re in a fish and chip shop, what’s your go-to order?

Line-caught haddock and chips (MSC certified of course!) and some homemade mushy peas!

Which country do you visit for foodie inspiration?

We travel quite extensively to try new cuisines, mostly around south-east Asia and Europe! Italy is a firm favourite as my family originates from there.

When you’re too tired to cook at home what do you prepare?

Pasta, a simple tomato sauce with some great pasta - simple and delicious!

Say a friend is visiting South Shields, for the first time, where would you take them and what would you do?

South Shields has a rich history dating back to Roman times. I would show them our Roman fort, then go for a walk along our blue flag beaches and finish off with a meal and some cocktails at our Seafood Temple overlooking the sea!

What ingredients are always in your fridge?

Wine, and if there's any room left maybe a few beers!

Beer or wine?

See above.

In the sea or in the kitchen?

In the kitchen.

Fish or crustaceans?

Too hard to call, the fish we get off our coasts I believe are some of the best in the world!

What would your last meal be?

Fish and chips, mushy peas and a bottle of great Meursault.

Meet all the UK Ocean Ambassadors

From award-winning chefs to frontline doctors and youth ocean advocates, the UK Ocean Ambassadors are united by a love of the oceans and the seafood they bring us.