Shippam's Sandwichmakers

Boring sandwiches get a tasty Shippam's make-over in this classic comedy commercial from the 70s starring the legendary Roy Kinnear

This memorable television advert from the early 1980s features the much-loved comedian, Roy Kinnear, who along with Tony Aitken, play two factory workers having their lunchbreak. Roy's sandwiches are tasteless, as usual, while Tony's, as his gestures reveal, are chock full of tasty Shippam's Sandwich Spread. Tony shares a sandwich with Roy and they both show their appreciation without using any words to describe their obvious pleasure.

Shippam, one of Chichester's most famous family businesses, began as a grocery store in 1786, evolving into a food manufacturer by 1886. A range of potted meats and fish pastes was introduced in 1894 and Shippam's products gained hugely in popularity. The Chichester premises expanded throughout the 20th century and by 1960 the company entered the ready-meals market with a canned Chicken Supreme. After a number of ownership changes from 1974 onwards, the company became part of Prince's Ltd in 2001, and the Shippam's brand survives to this day. Various advertising agencies produced commercials for Shippam's including the London Press Exchange, later part of Leo Burnett and Foote, Cone and Belding Ltd.