Oldham's Fish Restaurant in Westcliff uncover old sign

A vintage sign at Oldhams Fish Restaurant, in West Road, has been revealed after owner Bradley Oldham carried out work to update its branding. 

The restaurant was opened back in 1967 by Rodney Oldham, when he was just 21 years old.

It is now run by his son, Bradley, who took over in 2009.

History - Owner Bradley Oldham (Image: Bradley Oldham)

This week, Bradley was taking down the current shop sign to put up a new and refreshed one.

Whilst carrying out the works, it uncovered an original sign dating back to at least 1948, for “Quality Fish Restaurant”.

History - The old sign uncovered underneath (Image: Bradley Oldham)

A sign Oldham’s have never seen before.

Bradley said: “The shop was originally bought from The Clark’s family’s fish and chip shop. The name was changed to Supreme Fish bar, then my dad took over.

“I actually messaged my dad who is out in Spain, saying do you remember this sign, and he said he had never seen it.

“We couldn’t believe it. It was a surprise as we didn’t know it was there.

“Apparently after doing some diffing, it dates from at least 1948, listed as Quality Fish Restaurant in Kelly’s directory.

“It was something we never knew existed.

“We have preserved it under our new sign that went up today.”

Refresh - The stunning new sign at Oldhams (Image: Bradley Oldham)

The much-loved restaurant wasn’t always called Oldham’s, it was previously known as The Supreme Fish Bar, but when Bill Oldham became ill, the name was changed to honour him.

Bill Oldham, Rodney’s dad, started selling shellfish in the Eastend of London, before opening one of the first fish and chips shops in the area in 1950.

The family moved to Essex in the early sixties, and son Rodney, bought Supreme Fish Bar in West Road, Westcliff in 1967.

This became the first fish and chip shop in the town to open a licensed restaurant on the premises, and the rest is history.

Back in September 2023, Oldham’s revealed how they had been now using solar power in a bid to avoid passing on costs to customers after electricity bills rocketed to £4,000 a month.

Bradley said thankfully, despite the struggles in the industry, Oldham’s is still standing strong.

He added: “It has been tough; a few fish and chip shops have been lost in the area.

“But we are good. The Palace Theatre is still busy which really is a help. We have still got regular people that we rely on.

“And we have a new hand painted sign.”