First Goan fish store set up in Hounslow

Goans have owned and run various businesses in Hounslow, the ‘mini Goa’ of West London, but none have got into the fish business of owning and running a fish. That is, until now.

The first Goan-owned and run fish store catering to the Goan community has been set up in the Borough of Hounslow (Central) in West London and will be inaugurated on Monday.

Fr Patrick D’Souza of the Goan Chaplaincy will bless the ‘Fish Anchor’ fish store at 141-149 Unit 3, Bellevue Court, Staines Road, Hounslow, at 11 am and there will be a special discount on all fresh fish sales on the opening day. For example, a kilo of fresh prawns which presently sells for £10.00 will be sold at a discounted rate of £7.00.

The ‘Fish Anchor’ will be open seven days a week from 9 am to 7 pm and two Goans have been employed to run the fish store.

PARTNERSHIP

The ‘Fish Anchor’ fish store is the result of a partnership between Micheal Bevan D’Silva and Allister De Sa. Both have been involved in the fishing business in contrasting ways. While one gained experience in an unexpected manner and out of sheer compulsion, the other has had vast experience in the family’s fishing business in Goa.

“During the Covid lockdown, most businesses were shut down and people lost their jobs and livelihoods. I managed to run a fish store in partnership with a Gujarati businessman during the lockdown and gained experience in the trade. I realised there was potential in this fishing business and found a gap in the market as Goans were not getting the type of fish they relished and desired,” said D’Silva.

“Allister De Sa has a very good understanding of the fishing industry as he has roots in the fishing community in Goa. He hails from Kharewaddo in Vasco and his father, Jose, operates trawlers and fishing boats as part of his fishing business in Vasco.”

“Allister wanted to keep his family business alive in UK and joined hands with me since I had been running a fish store in Best Foods, Hounslow West during the Covid pandemic.”

“Besides, Allister has good experience in the food supply industry. Given his understanding of the fish trade and combined with our experience in the business, we decided to launch the first Goan fish store ‘Fish Anchor’ in Hounslow Central, West London,” said D’Silva.

POTENTIAL

D’Silva stressed that ‘Fish Anchor’ is the first fish store fully owned and run by Goans.

“While other fish stores are run by Goans, they are owned by non-Goans hailing from Punjab, Gujarat, Pakistan and elsewhere. That makes a big difference as those fish stores do not and cannot fully cater to the requirements of the Goan community,” explained D’Silva.

D’Silva said ‘Fish Anchor’ will cater to a large area of Hounslow, Southall and Feltham, which has a very large population of Goans.

“Hounslow could be classified as a ‘mini Goa’. Our main interest is to cater to the large Goan population in West London, where there is a huge demand for fish of their choice. We will also offer free parking for customers at the ‘Fish Anchor’.”

PRODUCTS

D’Silva and de Sa plan to import fresh fish from Sri Lanka and India. But their desire to get fish from these areas is not merely due to their connection to the Indian Sub Continent.

“Fish from the tropics taste much better than that from the northern seas of Europe,” explained D’Silva.

“While we will import fresh fish from Sri Lanka, India and other Asian countries, such as Indian Mackerel, Shark, Chonak, Kingfish, Ribbon Fish, Modso/Cobia, Indian Salmon, Red Snapper, Bombay Duck, Prawns, Tiger Prawns, Sardines, Squids, Crabs, Konkor/Trevally, Rane/Japanese Bream, Lepo/Sole Fish, Cat Fish, Ladyfish, Golden Pomfret, Black Pomfret, Silver Pomfret. We will also sell popular and locally available fish like Sea Bass, Sea Bream, Sardine, Salmon and Shark.”

Apart from fresh fish, ‘Fish Anchor’ will also stock frozen fish and products imported from Goa.

“We will deal with Goan food products like masalas, vinegar, tamarind, chillies and homemade pickles.”

“Besides, ‘Fish Anchor’ is not just a place to pick up fish, it will also be a location for community notices. We will provide and promote information about job offers, accommodation and other allied requirements for needy Goans through our establishment,” said D’Silva.