New fishmonger finds new place

Hampshire’s newest independent fishmonger has set up shop in Portsmouth following a deal handled by Hughes Ellard.

The Fiiish Co (CORRECT SPELLING), owned and run by Andy Pass from Southsea, signed a six-year lease on the 455 sq ft premises at 141 London Road, North End.

Hughes Ellard acted for the freeholder, a private investment group, with the annual rent rising from £7,000 in year one to £8,000 in year three.

Andy, the former general manager at fish merchandiser Solent Fish at Farlington, Portsmouth, originated Fiiish in response to growing public demand for seasonal and regional produce.

He said: “The demand is definitely out there, especially as more people are eating at home because of the credit crunch and the fact there are only five independent fishmongers, including Fiiish, serving the city’s population of 197,000. Fish is also widely acknowledged as a healthy cuisine.”

Andy is running the business with his partner, Sarah Kernan, and will be focusing on seasonal fish from sustainable stocks, such as flounders and sole in winter, and shellfish, as well as offering more traditional fare from UK fish markets, such as tuna.

The firm, near The Fountain pub, also has an internet mail order business - www.fiiishco.com - and the store will have a range of foods to enhance fish recipes, such as home-made herb butters.

Leanne Channon of Hughes Ellard said: “It was a pleasure to help Andy’s start-up business find the right retail location and we wish him every success.”

The undisclosed cost of fitting out the premises with refrigeration equipment was funded by NatWest Bank.