L & S Middleton began in 1960 when Leonard and Sylvia Middleton bought their first Fish and Chip shop in Darlaston. From 1960 to 1963 Leonard was buying fresh fish every morning at 5 am from Birmingham markets to use in his first Fish and Chip shop in Darlaston. In 1963, the decision was made to expand this part of the business into supplying other local shops in the Midlands. Using an Austin Morr
is van, Leonard delivered orders that were taken the day before whilst Sylvia would continue to sell wet fish and prepare the Fish and Chip shop ready for frying at 12 noon. During a forty year period of owning and operating ‘Chippies’, the chain of outlets reached a peak of ten shops across the Black Country, employing over 100 people serving their own brand of golden battered chips. Due to the successes of the original fish sales, it became apparent that there was a market for all other products associated with the fish frying trade.As more products became added they quickly outgrew the stores at the rear of the Darlaston Fish and Chip shop and the decision was made to build a Cash and Carry at Cramp Hill in 1969 whilst also expanding the delivery services. After years of continued growth and further expansion at Cramp Hill, L&S Middleton had once again outgrown its surroundings and was re-located to a 3 acre site at Somerford Place, Willenhall in November 1980. These larger premises enabled the company to expand their product lines and start supplying frozen goods. As Middleton Paper was also located at Somerford Place, this site became the groups first Head Office. Continued successful trading meant that further expansion was eventually required. In 1988 this occurred with the purchase of the main road site with a prominent position on the Willenhall Road, Willenhall. From this Middleton Business Park location, L&S Middleton has evolved into a major supplier to the Fish and Chip and Catering Industries. Supplying over one thousand product lines across the Midlands, on our fleet of ambient / frozen 7 ½ tonne delivery vehicles.
