M and M Fishmongers opening in St Augustine's Street, Norwich: Photo: David Bale

New fishmonger for historic St Augustine’s Street in Norwich set up by Lowestoft man

David Bale Thursday, February 16, 2012
11:08 AM

A traditional fishmonger’s is returning to a historic Norwich street and the owners hope to be as successful as the last man to sell fish there, whose shop attracted queues around the block.

Melvin Robinson on Lowestoft triangle market

A traditional fishmonger’s is returning to an historic Norwich street and the owners hope to be as successful as the last man to sell fish there, whose shop attracted queues around the block.

Melvin Robinson, 52, has been a fisherman in Lowestoft for 26 years and has previously sold his catch at various markets across the region.

His new shop in St Augustine’s Street has been named M and M Fishmongers after his first name and his wife Marion.

St Augustine’s Street was formerly the home of Herbert Chettleburgh’s fishmonger, which closed more than a decade ago.

Mr Robinson said that he would continue to catch the fish off Lowestoft from his boat, Four Daughters, while his wife would sell them in the shop.

He said: “Quotas are so small now that I thought I would cut out the middle man.

“For the last seven years we have had a stall at Lowestoft market and we have sold fish at farmers’ markets, but this is a natural progression.

“There are very few of us fishermen left. When I started there were 200 commercial fishermen working out of Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Southwold, but the quota system only gives 4pc of Britain’s fishing rights to the country’s fleet of fishing vessels under 10m long – even though they make up 85 of the nation’s fleet.”

Kate Webster, who runs the shop next door, Junk and Gems, is optimistic that the street’s fortunes are picking up.

She said: “Residents want a mixture of shops in the street and hopefully the rest of the empty units will be taken up soon.”

She said the shop next door to her was also soon to be reopened selling home-made furniture. The new owner of that shop has already removed the fascia to reveal the name W D Batchelor newsagent and tobacconist, which is believed to have been the name of the shop before the second world war.

Stuart McLaren, chairman of St Augustine’s Community Together Residents’ Association, said: “We would welcome the new fishmonger and maybe it shows that some of the empty units in the street are starting to be taken up.”

As reported last month, Mr Chettleburgh left nearly £340,000 in his will to be split between the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, cancer charity the Big C, and the Salvation Army.

Mr Chettleburgh ran a fish shop in St Augustine’s Street for more than 20 years. He inherited the fish shop opened by his father Sidney after his brother Danny retired in the late 1960s, and quickly turned the shop into a success, running it with Violet, his wife. At times there would be people queuing down St Augustine’s and into Sussex Street waiting for the shop to open up.

Do you know of a new shop coming to Norwich? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.

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10 comments

Totally agree Red Steepler... people are plain lazy, Magdalen Street is an interesting street to walk down or up as the case may be!

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PhilTompson

Friday, February 17, 2012
When people complain about a lack of parking in St Augustine's what they really mean is free parking. While there are 2-hour free spaces in the area (but you may have to use your legs to walk to the shops, shock horror!), unfortunately, big white van man likes to park in these all day. I wish Melvin and Marion all the best with their new shop. Really good news for the area.

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Red Steepler

Friday, February 17, 2012
Lucky St Augustine's! And good to see another shop opening on that lovely street.

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Cattermoul

Thursday, February 16, 2012
Good news - parking should not be an issue with Anglia Square. I live in the city and don't drive so I never really understand those that do....

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oldowl

Thursday, February 16, 2012
People who wish to buy anything fresh are a niche market. They are patient and intelligent enough to find somewhere to park and are indifferent to the tattoo shop.

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peter blyth

Thursday, February 16, 2012
Good stuff. Now get rid of that god awful tattoo shop!

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Whiley Boy

Thursday, February 16, 2012
It is very good that this shop is to open .But like everything & every road with shops ,NO PARKING K e MOORE

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duke

Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hey Billy, been there recently?? There's a large car park at the bottom of the street behind Anglia Square as part of the redevelopment and traffic priority changes that were made to that area. Get yourself down there and buy some fish.

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Norfolk'n'Good

Thursday, February 16, 2012
I'm closing my shop in Lowestoft and moving the business to Norwich or maybe elsewhere. St Augustines wouldn't be my choice though. At least Norwicg City Council help businesses,unlike Waveney District Council who seem determined to get rid of them.

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kevin bacon

Thursday, February 16, 2012
good man, wish his business every success!

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you.know.me!

Thursday, February 16, 2012