Copyright grimsbytelegraph
2025 marks a milestone in the history of Grimsby as the humble fish finger celebrates its 70th birthday. Grimsby has been a hub for seafood for more than a century and at one time was seen as the fishing capital of the world, exporting fish around the globe. Thousands of people were employed in the fish industry and latterly in the frozen seafood factories dotted around Grimsby and surrounding towns. Birds Eye had more than 2,000 staff at its factory on Ladysmith Road. Mass seafood producers, The Ross Group, now Young's also had a huge number of staff when the fish finger was first designed in the mid-1950s. Eskimo Frozen Foods which became Findus, also laid claim to being the first producer of the breaded tea-time favourite that remains a staple in household freezers across the country. Between them they made millions of them. In fact, they were actually an American creation brought over to the Normandy battlefield in the Second World War by US troops who called them "fish sticks". The US Army took fish-filled freezers into action in France as the battle with Hitler's Panzer tanks raged. Eskimo Foods of Grimsby picked up on them after the war as one of their senior directors was serving alongside US soldiers and thought the food a good idea. The mass produced Grimsby export was even promoted by The Beatles at the height of their fame. A local Eskimo PR man called Gordon Barwood managed to persuade the band to back them - customers could choose their favourite member of the Fab Four each time they bought a pack of Eskimo fish fingers in the form of a free photo card. They were popular for families looking for a quick meal, with the slogan, "no bones, no waste, no fuss." The fish finger quickly overtook the fish cake which had been produced in Lincolnshire since 1948. Tracing back to its time as Fish Products Grimsby Ltd, Norvik Foods lays claim to the title of first manufacturer of Lincolnshire fish cakes, with the same recipe used in 1948 as it is today. It produces 350 tonnes a year, alongside bespoke cod, haddock, scampi, prawn and salmon lines for the foodservice sector. Actor John Hewer was the familiar face of Captain Birds Eye promoting fish fingers on TV adverts with his trademark beard and cap. His catchphrases were "Only the best for the Captain's table" and "Give'em the ones they want." TV series Inside the Factory focussed on Caistor Seafoods Ltd in 2018 where presenters showed how the factory produced around 165 tonnes of fish a week and 80,000 cod fish fingers every single day. At their peak more than 350 million fish fingers were sold every year. Managing director of E-Factor, Mark Webb praised the celebration of Grimsby's link to fish fingers. Get all the latest headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our newsletter. You can stay up to date with all the breaking news and top stories in our area as they happen by clicking this link. He said: "Every incredible innovation started off as an idea that somebody actually did something with. From Rubiks cubes to Teflon from aeroplanes to the internet. Every great invention and innovation started off as an idea, and new ideas can come from anyone regardless of age, education, geography or gender. "Everyone can have an idea. But it’s the entrepreneur that does something with that idea, takes the risk, challenges the status quo, and brings the idea to life. Luckily the UK is blessed with hundreds of entrepreneurs, and many of them reside in North East .Lincolnshire!" He acknowledged the astute business sense which made Grimsby the biggest manufacturer of fish fingers. It was estimated that if all the fish fingers made at Birds Eye over a 10 year period were laid end to end they would reach planet Jupiter. Fish fingers may all start the same as fish from the North Atlantic, but they will always have the Grimsby seal of approval.
