Fortnum's On Sea

FORTNUM'S-ON-SEA

JOIN US FOR FISH & CHIPS IN MARGATE THIS JULY

FORTNUM'S-ON-SEA!

JOIN US FOR FISH & CHIPS IN MARGATE THIS JULY

Read Time 4 minutes

Editorial

Read Time 4 minutes | Editorial

Fortnum & Mason, Fish & Chips:
Two iconic British favourites, together at last.

Lovers of exceptional British grub, rejoice: because for the month of July, we're heading for the Kentish coast for Fortnum’s-On-Sea – a collaboration with the seaside institution that is Peter’s Fish Factory. For just over four (hopefully) sun-soaked weeks, we'll be bringing a curated seaside menu of Fortnum’s-inspired fish and chips to Peter's chippy on the famous seafront at Margate.

And we'll be adding a touch of Piccadilly to Peter's decor too, with a little dash of Eau de Nil waiting to be found in everything from the chip cones to the window displays.

A much-loved destination in the town, Peter’s Fish Factory is a proudly family-run business, with Peter working alongside his son and grandson to serve what they — and many locals and visitors — call the best fish and chips in Kent.

Founded in 1984 and located near the Turner Contemporary, just across the road from the Margate steps, the shop's legend continues to grow, with queues regularly snaking down the street, come rain or shine.

Ahead of the launch of this delicious partnership, we sat down with the one and only Peter Curtis — the eponymous Peter who still owns and runs the Kentish landmark he founded back in 1984 — to talk all things chippy.

Read on to find out more, and to discover the four mouthwatering Fortnum's creations that will be joining Peter's regular menu in July — each of which will be available to takeaway, to devour on the seafront, or to enjoy on Peter's cobbled street seating. Pass the 181 Sauce...

Peter, how did your career in the delicious world of Fish & Chips reach this point?

I started working for associated fisheries in 1967, as a fryer in one of their shops.

I worked my way up to manager, area manager and then operations controller in charge of 26 shops from Birmingham to Chatham. Then I decided to go into business for myself in 1984.

My first shop was in Somerset, but it had reached its capacity to increase customers, as it was in a small village. So I started looking for new premises, and my next shop was in Margate, about a mile from our current premises. I was there for three years, then moved to where we are now, where we've been for 41 years!

After four decades, I'm proud to say that Peters is still very much a family run business. I still oversee operations and responsible for ensuring shops are fitted out with the best equipment and that managers are doing a good job!

My wife is company secretary, responsible for paying bills, wages, and so on. My son Peter is the manager of our Margate shop, where my grandson Rio also works, while my 14 year old daughter works in our Ramsgate shop before it opens, helping with prep.

All my staff are proud to work in the business, and consider themselves part of the 'family', my longest member of staff has been with me for 35 years!

On the menu
The Dip & Chips
£1.70

An exceptional combination of umami-rich Worcester sauce, sour-sweet tamarind paste and salty anchovy, our 181 Sauce is deliciously versatile – and just the stuff to complement Peter’s golden chips. Go on, take a dip...

On the menu
The Battered Sausage
£3.50

A true British chippy classic: Fortnum’s own Dingley Dell pork sausage in a crisp batter, served with our 181 Sauce.

“I think the 181 Sauce is going to be a hit with our customers – all the staff loved it. And personally, I reckon the Sparkling Tea will be a crowd favourite – it’s the perfect accompaniment to fish and chips on a sunny seaside day.”

Peter Curtis, Owner and Founder of Peter’s Fish Factory

You’re renowned for having queues out the door and round the corner. Why do you think you continue to be so popular?

By simply being the best we can, maintaining quality and freshness, no bells or whistles, just traditional fish and chips.

I'm lucky: I found something I loved doing in 1967 and that has not changed. I think people appreciate tradition and quality, and that is what we will continue to offer, no matter what changes around us.

And the quality of ingredients, of course: most of our fish comes from Norway and Iceland, all sustainable fishing. Our potatoes are supplied by a local farmer called L.R.Smith, which is another family owned and run business. Provenance is so important to me: I need to know where these ingredients have come from and that everything is really good quality. I've even travelled to Norway myself and gone out on the trawler to see the fish caught and processed, and I've been out of the farmer's tractor during potato harvest too!

And finally, how are you feeling about the month-long collaboration with Fortnum's?

Very excited. To be in collaboration with such a prestigious and well-known establishment is an honour! It has been a very interesting process so far — Fortnum's have made it easy and been very helpful.

I'm particularly excited about serving the 181 Sauce and the Sparkling Tea: all the staff liked it a lot, so I think we will need a lot of the sauce, and the Sparkling Tea is the perfect accompaniment to fish and chips on a sunny seaside day. That's my personal favourite.

Running from Tuesday 1st July to Thursday 31st July 2025, Fortnum's-On-Sea will be available during the usual opening hours of Peter’s Fish Factory, at 12 The Parade, Margate. Opening hours are 11am to 9pm Sunday–Thursday and 11 am to 11pm Friday and Saturday. See you there!

On the menu

The Bait & Barley

£7.50

A catch made in heaven: Peter’s exceptional fish in Fortnum’s beautifully crisp Kentish India Pale Ale batter. Delicious!

...and to drink
Sip Me Quick!
from £3.50

Take your pick from Fortnum’s Sparkling Tea or Fortnum’s Rose Sparkling Tea (0% ABV), or Fortnum’s Royal Blend Iced Tea. Cheers!

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