Last updated at 12:52, Friday, 28 September 2012

Workington’s first fishmongers will open on Tuesday.

GONE FISHING: Mark and Susan Walley are opening a new fishmongers in Workington

Fisherman Mark Walley and his wife Sue will open West Coast Fish Ltd on Buddle Road, Clay Flatts.

Mr Walley, 42, has been a fisherman for eight years and used to sell his catch at fish auctions in Fleetwood. But when Mrs Walley, 52, was made redundant in April they decided to start up the business – which they had been planning for over four years.

Mr Walley said: “We are trying to keep the product local because all the good stuff we were catching was going out of the county.

“We want to try to get the younger generation eating fresh fish and promote how good it is for people.”

Mrs Walley added: “When I got made redundant I just thought if we don’t do it now we never will so it gave us that extra push to get it started.”

Mr Walley, of Parton, near Whitehaven, will provide fresh fish from the coast of Cumbria to the shop every day, weather permitting. He has recently achieved a Responsible Fishing Scheme certificate.

Some of the fish he hopes to provide fresh from his boat include langoustines, plaice, skate, cod, pollock, crabs and lobsters.

He said: “If we have to outsource anything we will try to keep it as local as possible and try to buy from the local boats.”

Once they are established they hope to start selling fresh fish from a van around West Cumbria.

First published at 11:49, Friday, 28 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk