Address: 1 Lawrence Street, York, YO31 7UL (now Jenny’s on the corner of Walmgate Bar)
Description
Once visible but now obscured by a new sign, a paint-on-brick ghost sign read ‘Corner Cafe’ in white against a brilliant white background, with ‘Fish Chips’ below against a red background, both bordered in blue.
History
The Corner Cabin Café, remembered by its ghost sign, was a bustling spot in the 1960s and 70s.
Fish and chips, a staple British dish, first appeared in literature in 1839 when Charles Dickens mentioned a “fried fish warehouse” in Oliver Twist.
Oliver Twist contains the earliest reference to fish and chips
Originating as small family businesses, fish and chip shops often operated from the front rooms of houses and became widespread by the late 19th century.
The industry saw significant growth through the late 19th and well into the 20th century, driven by the needs of Britain’s expanding industrial population.
The introduction of steam-powered trawlers allowed fishermen to harvest fish from distant waters of the North Atlantic, Iceland, and Greenland.
Meanwhile, steam railways facilitated the swift distribution of fish nationwide.
1900 – When the building was owned by a confectioner
By the 1930s, fish and chips were so vital to the British diet that a shop in Bradford employed a doorman to manage the queues.
The Territorial Army even fueled its soldiers with fish and chips from special catering tents at training camps during this decade.
Today, the tradition continues at Jenny’s, a corner café that still serves fish and chips, maintaining the legacy of this beloved British dish.
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