Michael Michaelides - Jaws
(This is an article I wrote in 2002 for a Devonport newsletter. Now, in 2011, Jaws is still trading. Liz)
Celebrating 25 Years in Devonport!
On Thursday 18th July Michael Michaelides of Jaws will be celebrating 25 years of
being in the fish & chip business at Cumberland Street in Devonport. If you are
passing on that day I’m sure you will see some sort of flag flying in their window.
Originally from Cyprus Michael first came to England 28 years ago, and within three
years had moved to Devonport and established what was to become a thriving local
business. When he first moved in, the shop was called John Hooper Fish & Chips,
after the previous owner, but around that time the movie ‘Jaws’ was making a hit
in the cinemas – Michael thought the name suited perfectly his fish shop – and it’s
been called that ever since.
Local Friends.
His first impression, 25 years ago, was that Devonport was... “like a
village where everyone gets to know one another". He continued,"Maybe it’s not quite like that
nowadays but it was years ago – people were so friendly and everyone in this part
of town communicating with each other, including to me as a newcomer. I’ve made
lots of friends around here. I know many people and understand the
community and the changes that are happening."
Community Growth.
About ten years ago, Michael and Dave (then the chemist at nearby Stoltons) wrote to Plymouth
City Council about bringing improvements to the area. Subsequently various Action
Groups developed in pockets within Devonport and, by 2001 the
New Deal for Communities (NDC) initiative arrived in Devonport
***. Michael recalled that Robert Plumb of
Plymouth City Council later remarked to him, “you were among the early ones
in getting things moving” so Michael is proud of his community contributions. When
the New Deal for Communities arrived in Devonport Michael supported its development
and attended meetings, but for the moment however, business schedules prevent further
attendances. He said, “if NDC get it right, then Devonport will be improved, it
will be good for all concerned, for residents and for businesses - but there needs
to be a good healthy mix, of different types of business, of residents old and new
– a good mix”.
Family – Youth.
Michael is a family man, his wife and children helping with everything at the shop, including serving customers.
Over the years he has employed many Devonport folk but at the moment a lot
of his local staff have moved away, being relocated as part of the regeneration
process. Of the local youth he feels that many of them are... “OK at heart, just following
the crowd, and that’s how they might get into trouble. The solution would be to
keep guiding them through the years 12 to 18, to keep them busy – often they only
get into trouble because they have nothing else to do. If there were more choices
locally more than half of these boys wouldn’t get into trouble.”
Michael the Movie Buff
After ten years of successful trading in Devonport Michael was able to
buy number two George Street, which was then operating as a bakery. In 1994 he modernised
this property, reopened as a pizza parlour and renamed the shop Mystic Pizza. Yes,
that’s right, after the movie of the same name.
I asked whether his Devonport shops had ever served anyone famous as a customer?
“I once delivered a pizza to Brian Conley. He was starring at the Theatre Royal
at the time, and was staying as a guest at Dawn French’s home in Stoke. I was surprised to
see him open the door to me, and my voice rose high as I asked ‘is it you?’ He mimicked
me and responded with an equally high voice ‘yes it’s me’. He gave me a £2 tip, and the pizza was a ham and
pineapple.”
Jaws Opening Hours are:
Monday to Thursday - 11.30 to 2 and 4.30 to 11.30
Fridays and Saturdays - 11.30 to 2 and 4.30 to 12
Jaws Fish & Chips shop in Cumberland Street.
View inside. 1
view inside. 2
view inside. 3
*** In order to deliver the NDC program, an arbitrary line was drawn around the
map of Devonport, cutting off some areas and streets. For example, the programme
did not officially extend to Morice Town, which has always been a part of Devonport.
(Page added 16 May 2011 - updated November 2011)