![\"Robson](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_IMG_0676.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI tried the chippy of my childhood which has been taken over by new owners – and not everyone is happy<\/p>\n
Robson is a what’s on writer for Birmingham Live specialising in food and drink and shopping. He previously worked for Birmingham Mail and Birmingham Post covering the Commonwealth Games in 2022.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_IMG_4541.jpg\")
A large cod and chips (\u00a311.35) at The Plaice fish barA large cod and chips (\u00a311.35) at The Plaice fish bar(Image: Robson McCallister\/BirminghamLive)<\/p>\n
I’ve never walked into a fish and chip shop and compared it to a doctor’s waiting room.<\/p>\n
But with no music, no atmosphere and no conversation, I felt a little nervous as I walked in.<\/p>\n
I was in Hall Green, visiting The Plaice Fish Bar which has recently been taken over by new owners.<\/p>\n
I’m no stranger to this chippy, having visited for more than 20 years and always thought the food and service was fine.<\/p>\n
Read More: <\/strong>Full list of the cleanest fish and chip shops in Birmingham<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n It’s been pretty famous in the local community though, with queues out the door I remember from my childhood.<\/p>\n The reason behind my visit was because the chippy has recently been taken over by new owners and not everyone is happy about the change.<\/p>\n I noticed negative reviews towards the end of last year and thought nothing more. Perhaps it was just teething issues?<\/p>\n But as months progressed, it looked like more and more loyal customers were turning away from The Plaice and to new fish and chip shops.<\/p>\n On Google Reviews, a customer identified as Alison said: “Fourth visit since under new management. Unlikely to return, but we gave them the benefit of the doubt.<\/p>\n “The chips were different (either different potatoes or different oil) and not great.<\/p>\n “It’s such a shame as previously, and for many years it was the best chip shop for miles and we were regular visitors.<\/p>\n “Sad to say that we are unlikely to visit for a fifth time.”<\/p>\n Another reviewer under the name Donna said: “First time I\u2019ve been since new management.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m not one to leave reviews but honestly felt so disappointed with our food tonight.<\/p>\n “Chips were barely warm, mushy peas a very odd colour as if heated several times, and my husband had a pie which was lukewarm.<\/p>\n “Such a shame as the previous owners worked so hard to serve great food and it used to be spotless in there.”<\/p>\n And a different guest named Regina commented: “Under new management and the chips are dreadful.<\/p>\n “Undercooked, soaking in oil and full of black bits.<\/p>\n “We had been going to The Plaice for over 20 years. We are looking for a new chip shop.”<\/p>\n Having visited The Plaice under the previous owners, I wondered if reviewers had cod-tinted glasses on when they typed away.<\/p>\n My memories of The Plaice were fine, it wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t memorable.<\/p>\n And so far, under new ownership, my own criticism was the atmosphere.<\/p>\n The previous owners would have a queue out the door and seemed to know everyone. That friendly warmth and hospitality seems to feel like a loss in the shop.<\/p>\n Over to the menu. I ordered a large haddock and chips (\u00a39.99) for me and a large cod and chips (\u00a311.35) for my friend Tom.<\/p>\n After a short wait, we soon tucked in and the fish was much better than I expected.<\/p>\n The clue was there when staff prepared the fish only after I placed it.<\/p>\n Whilst it resulted in a longer wait, I’d rather wait for chunks of happiness than receive sad-looking batter from the hot counter.<\/p>\n Going in with minimal expectations, I was won over bite after bite and it didn’t take long before I devoured it.<\/p>\n In terms of the chips, I’d say they were fine. They weren’t as bad as I thought they would be from the reviews, but they weren’t perfect either.<\/p>\n It was just a normal chip. It wasn’t that fluffy, but it wasn’t overcooked either. They just seemed a bit lifeless.<\/p>\n The star of the show was the haddock. The fish itself was super soft, perfectly cooked and had the perfect batter-to-fish ratio.<\/p>\n And by the time I was finished, I noticed Tom had quietly devoured his dinner too.<\/p>\n Speaking about his meal, Tom said: “This is exactly what I think of when I want fish and chips.<\/p>\n “If people said it has gone downhill, it must have been amazing before.<\/p>\n “It’s great food and the classic British meal. I think some of the reviews might be because of the atmosphere, but there’s nothing wrong with my food.”<\/p>\n And it seems we’re not the only ones who enjoyed a meal in the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n A customer identified as Terry said: “This is the first time using this chippy, and my goodness, fantastic.<\/p>\n “I am a good few miles away, beats the chip shops near me. Keep going guys, I will be back for something different.”<\/p>\n A reviewer identified as Helen posted: “Just enjoyed the nicest fish & chips we\u2019ve had in years.<\/p>\n “Always rated The Plaice anyway, but this was another level of good.<\/p>\n “Really fresh and delicious, great service too.”<\/p>\n And Joe added: “Loving the food, keep up the good work.”<\/p>\n I was a regular customer at Plaice for years before the old owners left, and I’ll keep coming back now it’s been taken over.<\/p>\n I know some locals are unhappy with the change but to me, the food actually tastes better.<\/p>\n Perhaps the new owners could just work on providing a bit of atmosphere and warming up to the community.<\/p>\n This review was independent, conducted at random and all food was paid for by the reporter.<\/strong><\/p>\n You can find The Plaice at 266 Baldwins Lane, Birmingham, B28 0XB.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I tried the chippy of my childhood which has been taken over by new owners – and not…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":177580,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7820],"tags":[25375,855,10314,748,9160,393,4884,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-177579","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-birmingham","8":"tag-billesley-and-hall-green","9":"tag-birmingham","10":"tag-birmingham-restaurants","11":"tag-britain","12":"tag-cheap-as-chips","13":"tag-england","14":"tag-great-britain","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114668753825614784","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177579"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177579\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_IMG_4534.jpg\")
The atmosphere inside The Plaice was non-existent (Image: Robson McCallister\/BirminghamLive)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_IMG_4539.jpg\")
The Plaice in Hall Green changed owners last year and the neighbourhood is divided(Image: Robson McCallister\/BirminghamLive)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_IMG_4540.jpg\")
A large haddock and chips (\u00a39.99) at The Plaice fish bar (Image: Robson McCallister\/BirminghamLive)<\/p>\n