KNIGHTS FISH RESTAURANT
Established 1909
Traditional
Fish & Chips
Since 1895 - Family Owned Since 1909
1895 - The beginning...
Not much is known about when exactly we opened our doors as a fish & chip shop, but census can confirm that Elizabeth Hockey was selling fried fish from her home address, (5 Northload Street) during 1895. Another census document shows living opposite the shop was Louisa Phillis (1st Generation Family Member.) At some point, Louisa, or 'Mary' as she preferred to be called began working with Mrs Hockey. Little is known about how long they were in partnership, as eventually, Mary was the sole proprietor. We believe due to the fact that fish & chips were still a very new concept in England the business had no name only a reputation.
1909 - Family Business!
Mary became the sole proprietor of the business sometime in the year 1909. Her daughter Louie Phillis, as traditional in those times, started working for her mother and later in 1931 inherited the business after her mothers death. Fish & chips is now a very established concept in England, and very popular. During her reign of the business, she married Frank Knight & we believe somewhere during this period Knights obtained its name. During their successes there were several highlights - Louie handmade some of the most renowned faggots in somerset. Customers would often line up with china dishes to stock up on faggots until the next visit! - That good!
1939 and beyond...
Life during wartime Britain was a bleak period, however, one famous fact remains - fish & chips kept us fighting fit. Unrationed and being a nutritious food meant it became a popular choice and the queues were long! We spent our free time collecting the fish with sack trucks from Glastonbury Train station or visiting army barracks to bargain for their waste frying oil.
We refer to the account of William Knight (4th Generation) about his young life around fish & chips.
"My earliest recollection of our shop was during the war seeing a queue of men in uniform. I often used to fall asleep in an open cupboard on piles of newspapers ie wrapping paper at the end of our counter. The frying range was of course coal-fired and I remember at the end of each frying session my father carrying the glowing embers from the range on a shovel through our living quarters and letting it burn out in our domestic fire-grate."
1992 - The Next Generation!
Son & Daughter of Louie Knight - Bill Knight & Iris Look (nee Knight)
Inherit the business and employ various members of their families to help maintain the highly successful and ever-increasing trade.
During these years, queues would often go out the door and down the street! A testament to the awards the business also received during this period.
2009 - 100 years!
Daughter of Bill Knight, Charlotte Mitchell (nee Knight) and her husband Kevin Mitchell purchase the business and take-up the gauntlet. 100 years had just passed by and we certainly celebrated!After several years of working for Bill Knight, all the knowledge and information was passed down and the legacy was set to continue. Introducing a more modern menu, the business went from strength to strength. More family members became permanent fixtures in the foundation of the business, including the next generation. Winning our fish & chip quality award and maintaining it for several years was our first step into a more dedicated and sustainable approach to fish & chips.
2014 - 2022
Son & Daughter begin training on business management and frying. Working full-time and a promise of a long future with the business. We started our 108th year with 4 Family members at the helm, preparing, cooking and serving the best fish & chips we have to offer. Very proud to continue their great great grandmothers legacy. In our 110th year, we excelled in many areas, winning a national fish & chip award for top 20 best fish & chip restaurants in 2019 then into the top 10 in 2020 and once again in 2022!
In early 2023 we had a shop refit and replaced our 30-year-old frying range for a very modern and efficient kiremko frying range! We are now able to cater for all diets and most allergies!