Tony’s Fish and Chip Shop, located at 23 Chapel Street in Mosborough (Fig. 1), is recognized as one of the oldest chip shops in Sheffield. In January 2025, the establishment was placed on the market by its owners, Robert and Helena Hatt. Robert commenced his employment at the shop 45 years prior, having been hired by his brother-in-law, Tony Buxton, after whom the shop is named. He acquired ownership of the shop in September 2002.
The building itself exhibits significant historical characteristics, as evidenced by the stone coping and kneelers situated over the gable wall. It likely served originally as a small barn, stable, or coach house for the adjacent property at 21 Chapel Street, with origins that probably trace back to the early nineteenth century.
The shop was first referenced in a newspaper article in February 1913, in which a local figure named Fab Ashley was reported to have been found intoxicated at Frank Thorley’s fish and chip shop. Francis “Frank” Thorley (1846-1932), a native of Trowell in Nottinghamshire, relocated to Mosborough in 1879 with his wife, Elizabeth, and their four children. At that time, he worked as a night deputy at Messrs J. & G. Wells Holbrook Colliery while also managing a small grocery store on Back Street in Mosborough. It appears that he assumed the tenancy of 23 Chapel Street after it had been occupied by Fred Drabble, a building contractor, who had held it along with 24 Chapel Street—the opposite house—since 1901. The Census of 1911 identified Frank as a fish dealer operating at 23 Chapel Street.
After the death of his wife, Elizabeth, in 1915, Frank transferred the business to his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Arthur Smith, before moving to Cossall in Nottinghamshire. The Smiths maintained operations at 23 Chapel Street until Arthur died in 1936.
Identifying subsequent owners of the establishment has proven challenging until the 1960s, when it was occupied by Ada Buxton, the mother of Tony Buxton, who is fondly remembered by local residents.
The Mosborough One-Place Study 