Our Story

OUR STORY

Family run business with a passion for fresh fish and seafood

Every business has a story to tell, and the story of Woods Fish started some three decades ago. Father and son, Chris and Alan, were sat in a small boat fishing out of Poole Harbour when they both came upon an idea. Their idea was simple – to start their own fish wholesale business. To make this idea a reality, Chris and Alan set out to make a plan that would help launch their new business venture.

Each and every day, Chris and Alan would start out at 3:00 am and proceed to buy directly from other day boats, as well as the fish auctions taking place at Brixham and Plymouth. They would then proceed to sell this fish directly to the local wholesale fish companies as well as some London-based companies. This arrangement would become the norm for the business moving forward.

In 2015, Alan took the decision to start selling directly to London restaurants and fishmongers. As a result, the business grew very quickly. This came as no surprise, what with their unique ability to source the very best fish in the early hours and deliver it to their customers that very same morning. This ensured that consumers would be able to purchase the freshest, tastiest fish around.

As new opportunities have presented themselves, the expansion of the business has continued. A recent addition to their portfolio was that of the Asian fish market, primarily operating around the South of England. This addition would increase the selection of fish available to consumers, providing more choice and variety.

Sustainability

Woods Fish are committed to sustainable fishing practices, buying from local day boats as well as larger beamer boats in Devon. When prime fish is needed, boats that have to adhere to strict fishing guidelines make for truly sustainable fishing practices. This is not only reassuring for the consumer, but it’s also good for our oceans.

Additionally, Woods Fish purchase from fishermen who engage in rod and line and netted fishing practices. Both are preferable to a large factory boat hoovering up huge areas of the sea. While the latter leads to large shoals of fish being wiped out, the former techniques take only what’s needed to fulfil a set quota. Alan Woodward’s team believe in looking after the future of the fish and the sea.

Harbours

At Woods Fish, we take great care in sourcing the freshest and most sustainable fish available, and we’re proud to predominantly fish in Brixham Harbour – a charming fishing town located in Devon. This idyllic harbour is renowned for its sizable fleet of fishing trawlers, including the legendary ‘Golden Hind’ – Sir Francis Drake’s historic ship. It was also in Brixham that the fishing trawler was perfected in the 19th century, revolutionizing the industry and paving the way for modern-day trawlers.

In addition to Brixham, we also fish in Plymouth and Poole Harbour to ensure a steady supply of fresh fish for our customers in London. By sourcing our fish from various locations, we can guarantee that we offer the best selection of fresh fish London has to offer while maintaining sustainable fishing practices.

At Woods Fish, we’re committed to providing our customers with exceptional quality seafood that is both fresh and responsibly sourced. So why not try our catch of the day and experience the difference for yourself?

Supply Chain

All the local fish that Woods Fish offers can be traced back to the local south coast boats they were bought from. This includes the boat names, area the fish was caught, fishing methods, and most importantly the skipper. At Woods Fish, we take pride in protecting our oceans and ensuring a steady supply of quality fresh fish for future generations.

As a leading sustainable fish wholesaler in London, we provide fresh fish to London fish mongers, seafood markets, and fish suppliers. Our seafood markets in London offer a wide selection of sustainable fish and shellfish, including London wet fish and London farmed fish. So, if you are looking for high-quality seafood in London, get in touch with Woods Fish today to find out more about our story and our service.