Chippie Joe’s

Chippie Joe’s grew out of my fascination with the small details that give local fish and chip shops their character. The old peg‑board menu inside the shop really stayed with me, and I ended up reimagining it as the central element of the print. Rather than using it only to list food, I tried to let it hint at the people and stories connected to the place. For me, it’s a piece rooted in the everyday rhythms of the British high street, where food, routine, and casual conversation all come together.

The oil‑stained white and yellow pegs against the dark blackboard background helped me evoke the slightly worn, familiar feel of the shop. I kept real menu items like “Cans 95p” and “Sausage and Chips” because they anchor the work in the unpretentious world of a traditional chippie. At the same time, I wanted to go beyond simple nostalgia, so I introduced a queue of customers winding outside the shop—each one turned into a peg‑like figure on the board. These little characters add a touch of humour and movement, turning what could have been a static display into something more lively and social.

As I worked, I found myself thinking about the balance between routine and individuality in shared spaces. By mixing the ordinary with the playful, I hoped to encourage viewers to notice the charm of places we often take for granted, and the personalities that quietly shape them. It’s my small way of acknowledging the rituals and relationships that form in everyday community settings.

Within the Hidden High Street series, Chippie Joe’s sits at the intersection of simplicity and storytelling. It isn’t just about a fish and chip shop; it’s an affectionate, slightly whimsical look at community, tradition, and the small but meaningful habits that make up daily life. In its own way, it’s a celebration of local life - where humour, familiarity, and humanity meet on the high street.