History - Brown's Cafe Pembroke

Brown's Restaurant
and Snack bar in Pembroke

The History of

The Fish and Chip shop was first opened by Constance Brown MBE and her late husband Syd in 1928. Syd died in 1964 at the age of 59 but Connie (as she was affectionately known locally) carried on the family business with her son Hilton, his wife Glenys and their son Steve.

When the shop first opened there were none of the mechanical aids we had today, the potatoes were cleaned by hand then chipped with a hand chipper and there was only a coal fire. Chips sold for a half penny a bag. Connie worked in the shop for over 80 years living above the business. Her birthdays have been a delight to both Connie and the people of Pembroke.

Her 100th Birthday was celebrated at work as normal then being kidnapped by a horseman and taken for a ride in a horse drawn carriage.

Her 101st Birthday found her working in the shop as always, the celebration had to wait until Sunday when she enjoyed being taken out for a meal with family and friends.

Her 102nd Birthday found her again being kidnapped, this time she was dressed in leathers and a helmet and taken for a ride around Pembroke Town on a motorbike escorted by outriders and on her return enjoyed a further ride in a Ferrari.

Connie told of how much she enjoyed all the thrills on her birthdays, but declared the biggest day of her life was in 2006 when she was honoured to receive the MBE for services to business and the community from HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Sadly Connie passed away in January 2010 and is missed and fondly remembered by family, friends and the many visitors who always called in for Fish and Chips when on holiday.

Her beloved Fish and Chip shop Browns lives on in her memory in the capable hands of her family and will do so for many years to come.