A new era for the fishing industry: direct-sales initiatives across the UK
While the COVID-19 pandemic has been undeniably damaging to the seafood sector, the various campaigns and initiatives established to facilitate direct sales and seafood distribution have provided a lifeline for the industry, and a welcome shift in consumer focus to local, fresh, and sustainably caught seafood.
In this blog post we highlight a number of direct-sales initiatives operating across the UK, in the hope of providing a resource for both the seafood industry and consumers alike.
Scotland
Fishbox (Peterhead) - Subscription service delivering across England, Wales and Scotland offering a wide range of fresh seafood sourced from small, sustainably operated-fishing boats. Order online.
The Pier (Troon) - Family-run business selling fresh fish and shellfish caught by their boats in the Firth of Clyde. Next day delivery available across the UK, and same-day delivery or collection available locally. Order online.
England
East Coast
Ish Fish (Grimsby) - Long-standing home delivery service operating across all England, Scotland and Wales. A range of ‘boxes’ are available to choose from, or customers can opt for a bespoke selection. All fish is sustainably sourced from the local port, and packaging is fully recyclable and reusable. Order online.
The following suppliers can all be found via Grimsby Fish Near You.
Carl Peart Seafoods (Harrogate) - Mobile service selling fresh seafood purchased each morning from Grimsby fish market. Deliveries available in the Harrogate area, or purchase directly from their refrigerated van. Order by phone or email.
Clainy’s Ltd (Bishop’s Stortford) - Mobile fishmonger offering docks-to-door service in areas around Bishop’s Stortford on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call or email for more information.
Jim’s Fresh Grimsby Fish (Grimsby) - Mobile service offering delivery and mobile shopping from their refrigerated van. Fish purchased daily at Grimsby market, deliveries available in areas of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Birmingham and London on certain days. Order by phone or email.
Lee Trowbridge (Grimsby) - Mobile fishmonger calling at areas of Surrey, Hertfordshire, London and North East Lincolnshire. Call or email to request a visit.
Ocean’s Finest (Essex) - Mobile fishmonger. Deliveries available across areas of Essex and London. Order by phone or email.
Phil’s Grimsby Fish Emporium (Grimsby) - Mobile fishmonger calling at doors once a week in areas of Hertfordshire, London and Greater London. No minimum spend. Call or email to request a visit.
South East
Moxon’s Fresh Fish (London) - Small chain of independent fishmongers selling British fish sourced fresh from Billingsgate market. Order via phone for deliveries across London.
Pesky Fish (London) - Provides real-time information of catch due to be landed at ports across the country, allowing customers to buy direct from fishermen and choose how they would like their fish prepared. The fish is then packaged directly on the quayside and delivered nationwide. Order online.
The Wright Brothers (London) - Longstanding wholesalers and fishmongers now offering direct delivery of fresh fish and shellfish from Brixham market to address across London.
Yorwarth’s Fresh Fish (Seaford) - Offers a range of fresh and smoked fish, as well as freezer-goods including fish cakes and fish fingers. Local deliveries available free of charge, deliveries in the wider London/Brighton area available for an extra fee. Serving at markets in Stoke Newington and Stroud Green on weekends. Order by phone.
FishLocal (Kent and Essex) - An initiative helping local fishermen reprofile their businesses and give them a platform to sell their fish locally, such as through social media.
South West
Fish For Thought (Cornwall) - Well established online market specialising in delivering fresh fish caught in Cornwall. The company prioritises sustainability and quality, and delivers across England, Wales and parts of Scotland. Order online.
Fish To Your Door (Cornwall) - Direct sales initiative that connects consumers with merchants who can offer door-to-door delivery of fresh, Cornish fish and shellfish. Over 30 suppliers offering services, with some discounts available for NHS workers throughout June. Register online to be connected with a merchant.
Sole of Discretion (Plymouth) - A collective of small-scale fishers selling fresh, sustainable fish direct online and through farm drop services. Delivery widely available.
Ready Fish Box (Brixham) - A new initiative that makes day boat fish available to the local area, through direct sales and partnership with Pesky Fish.
Northern Ireland
Mourne Fishbox (Kilkeel) - Fresh fish and shellfish delivered across Northern Ireland, with a wide range of boxes and selections to choose from. Order online
Mourne Seafood (Belfast) - Click and collect service in Belfast, also offering delivery within Belfast on Friday and Saturday afternoons. The shop is open Thursday-Saturday and offers a range of fresh and processed seafood, as well as limited pantry supplies. Order online.
Sea Source Seafood Shop (Kilkeel) - Owned by fishermen of the ANIFPO and making deliveries across all of Northern Ireland. The cooperative is offering a 20% discount to NHS staff, and offers a range of locally caught fish and shellfish. Order by phone or visit the shop in Kilkeel.
Wales
Cardigan Bay Fish (Cardigan) - Locally caught seafood prepared or sold fresh by Len and Mandy Walters. Order via Facebook message.
Swansea Fresh Fish (Swansea) - Fresh fish and shellfish caught and sold directly by co-owner Paul, available for delivery across South and West Wales. Price list available via email.
FURTHER SUPPORT
Offering wider support to wholesalers, auction houses and merchants, as well as fishermen, Call 4 Fish is a nationwide service working closely with local authorities and enterprise partnerships to provide alternative routes to market for the industry as a whole. The online directory highlights point of sale of fresh fish and seafood for delivery or collection across the country, and the project provides business support across the supply chain. Visit the website to browse locations and merchants, then order direct from those most convenient to you.
As part of their Fish is the Dish campaign encouraging consumers to eat more seafood, Seafish have developed an online directory of fishmongers, suppliers, and fishermen offering delivery of fresh seafood all over the UK. The interactive map allows customers to identify nearby retailers, and the website provides a number of useful resources including articles on the health benefits of eating seafood and recipe suggestions for local species.
Finally, the Fish On Friday website now has an interactive map highlighting points of sale for fresh fish and shellfish across the whole of the UK. Visit the site to discover retailers offering delivery in your local area.
To keep this resource as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible we are keen to hear from readers regarding further direct-sales initiatives across the UK. Email us at secretariat@fisheriesappg.org.