Berties Fish and Chips, Highcliffe, Dorset

Have you ever stood inside an old house and wondered about the people who have lived there in the past, or how the building looked when it was first built?
331, Lymington Road, now known as 'Berties' Fish & Chip shop, has a rather unusual and interesting history, even if it doesn't go back for much more than a century!
It was built in the late 1800's and is believed to be a pair of two Villa's, known then as Grace Villa and Maud Villa. These two houses stood next to each other and were surrounded by fruit orchards. The gardens behind them were quite extensive, reaching right back to Wortley Road. They also had their own supply of water from a well in the garden, which was unusual in Highcliffe at this time for houses of their size.

The first known family to live in Grace Villa was that of Charles King, born in 1849 and a domestic gardener from Southampton. He lived there with his wife Maria and daughter Minnie, who was thirteen in 1901.
Grace Villa was later owned by John Frampton, although the date he purchased the property is not clear. John Frampton, born in 1858, was living in Holme Cottage, Highcliffe in 1901 with his wife Jane. John was an important figure in the life and growth of Highcliffe, then known as Newtown. He owned the ironmongers and cycle repair shop, which is now Highcliffe Garage, next door.

John and Jane brought Methodism to Highcliffe. In 1908, John gave land beside the garage to build a church. This was then called the Primitive Methodist Mission. Until that time, the methodists met in members houses.
Because very few records were made during the war years, it is uncertain when John and Jane first lived at Grace Villa. In 1934 John arranged a Deed of Gift of £2,800 for the church, and Grace Villa was purchased by the Home Missions Committee of the Methodist Church for £700.
In 1939 John and Jane retired from the church and Grace Villa was used to accommodate resident ministers. John and Jane Frampton died in 1947 and 1943 respectively.
Grace Villa then became known as 'The Manse' and Reverend Alfred Olds with his family moved in.

In 1957 plans were being made to build a new church on the site of the original. A new manse and a church hall were also going to be built.
On 27 April 1959, 'The Manse' 331, Lymington Road, formally Grace Villa, changed from a dwelling house to a shop -- Wesleys Outfitters, so named after the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.

The new church was opened on 19 June 1963 and is still in use today.
In the seventies 331 became 'Super Sports' a sports and surf shop. When that closed down the place stood empty for eighteen months, while permission was granted to open the premises as a fish and chip shop, then called 'Chez Nick'.

When the shop was sold it was renamed 'Berties', after the new owner Roberto. Berties has been trading for thirteen years and has built up it's current good reputation.
Pam and Ashley both worked in Berties over the last ten years, and took over the ownership in 1999. In 2001 'Berties' were runners up for 'Chip Shop of the Year' and have since won two further local awards.

In October 2004 the shop was sold as a going concern, and maintained it's high standards.

In January 2006 the shop was sold once more to the present owners James and Brian, who have over 13 years experience in the fish and chip shop trade.
A complete refit of the kitchen was their first step, and the shop is now run by James and his partner Claire, who intend to bring you great quality fish and chips for many years to come, improving even further on Berties reputation.