UK MOBILE FISHMONGER SECTOR IS THRIVING

UK mobile fishmonger sector is thriving

The mobile fishmonger sector in the UK is thriving and has carved an important food supply niche for consumers looking for high quality fresh seafood.

According to Seafish, there are no official statistics on the number of fish vans operational in the UK, although in Grimsby alone, there are over 100 independent mobile fishmongers taking their hygiene-rated vans across England, including London and the Cotswolds.

Simon Dwyer of the Seafood Grimsby and Humber Alliance told Fish Focus. “The vans are full of all types of species including British harvested sustainable seafood  staples such as cod, haddock and salmon, as well as tuna. In Grimsby we’ve had a long-standing reputation of feeding our nation with fish and seafood.”

In Scotland, one of the key centres for mobile fishmongers is in the East Neuk of Fife, where around 70 businesses are based, selling high quality fish landed further north at Peterhead and other ports, which is sold to customers all over central Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

While haddock, cod and other fish are no longer landed in the east Fife harbours of Pittenweem, Anstruther and St Monans, the fishing and processing tradition of the area from the past still holds strong, making it the ideal distribution hub.

Gordon Halkett, formerly ran a hotel in east Fife, but changed career 13 years ago to operate his own fish van out of Pittenweem.

He told Fish Focus that the main attraction for consumers is quality and convenience, with mobile fishmongers offering a freshness that supermarkets find hard to compete with.

“The quality and friendly customer service offered by mobile fishmongers is a real selling point, and people like the idea of being able to purchase premium seafood from their doorsteps,” he said.

Lines offered by his van include the traditional favourites such as haddock, cod and salmon, as well as monkfish, hake, sea bass, scallops, trout, prawns, and a range of smoked fish.

“The vans also act as mini-convenience stores, and we also sell potatoes and other vegetables, as well as local strawberries, cakes and other quality items,” he added.

The Covid pandemic provided a real boost to the mobile fishmonger sector, which was busier than ever supplying seafood. Gordon Halkett says that while sales have dropped back to nearer the pre-Covid levels, many new long-term customers were gained over the period, reflecting upon the underlying demand for high quality fish.

“I think the mobile fishmonger sector has a bright future ahead of it, with the quality and convenience of our offering providing a real attraction to discerning consumers,” he said.

Main Image: Gordon Halkett, mobile fishmonger from Pittenweem.