High Wycombe's lost fish and chip shops

We also asked members of our We Grew Up in Wycombe group to name the High Wycombe fish and chip shops they miss most, with many fondly remembering their favourites that are no longer around.

Smith’s, in Bull Lane, had a fishmonger’s downstairs and a restaurant upstairs, and was overwhelmingly voted readers’ favourite from years gone by.

Michelle Planterose said it was her “regular lunch stop”, while Vivienne Green said: “I don’t eat fish and chips but used to love lunch at the one in Bull Lane, they had a cafe above it, did other food as well as fish of course, it was great.”

Steve Minall said he remembered the “sauce in the plastic tomatoes and the treat of a coke in a glass bottle and straw,” while Gee Green said: “[The] restaurant upstairs [was] excellent for people-watching and great fish and chips.”

PICTURED: Smith's in Bull Lane

Ian Blacklidge described it as “legendary”, adding it is “still missed by many to this very day,” and Vicki Tubb said Smith’s was her favourite and she remembered meeting her grandfather Joe in there.

Dean Clark said his favourite was Smith’s in Totteridge Road, adding: “It’s the best I’ve ever tasted.

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“On a Friday evening there could be a queue of 20 or more.”

Dave Carney recalled working at Brooks, saying: “[I was] head spud peeler but was once upgraded to frying duties which in them days [was] a substantial promotion.”

The Bull Lane fishmonger pictured in around 1910

Many readers also remembered getting their fish and chip fix from Duces as well as the old Tuckin, on the corner of Bridge Street and adjoining Desborough Road.

Rich Glover said he was at the old Tuckin with his mother and sister when Elvis Presley’s death was announced on the radio.

A number of readers mentioned Paragon, in Desborough Road, with Christine Clark remembering getting chips from there after Brownies on a Tuesday at St John’s Church.

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PICTURED: The Paragon, in Desborough Road. Image courtesy Wycombe Museum

Lorna Haywood said she recalled going to Eric Appleby, off Lindsey Avenue, on Saturday night after youth club at Oakridge Road.

She added: “Used to stand outside – a whole mob of us – mostly with ten penny worth of chips. But [we] never upset the locals or got into trouble.”

Readers also mentioned EFC, in Crendon Street, Corner Plaice, in Mill End Road and PFC, in Desborough Road.

All images courtesy swop.org.uk

We have launched a new online community to share memories of the area. To join, search We Grew Up in Wycombe on Facebook or visit www.facebook.com/groups/688327338498744.