New Fleetwood fish wholesaler scores supplier deal with supermarket chain

A new fish wholesaler based in Fleetwood, Lancashire, has secured a deal to supply a supermarket chain within three months of its launch.

My Fish Company, which began trading in September after co-founders Gary Apps and Kim Ashton secured financial support from Lloyds Bank, has signed a supplier agreement with Preston-headquartered Booths.

The deal will see My Fish Company’s products sold from Booths’ fish counters. The supermarket chain currently operates 32 stores across the North West.

While My Fish Company is Gary and Kim’s first business venture, Gary has over 22 years of experience working for wholesalers in the seafood industry, while Kim’s early background was in sales and purchasing.

Discussing the company’s launch, Gary said: “The inspiration for […] My Fish Company was a combination of several factors coming together.

“I had specialised in turning around underperforming sites for my previous employer however the role was moving further away from the fish and seafood industry, which is where I wanted to be.”

He continued: “I have a real passion for the sector and wanted to apply my years’ of experience, so we spoke with Lloyds Bank about getting some funding in place, signed the lease on our premises and we were ready to go.

“We wouldn’t have been able to start the business without the bank’s support.”

Gary and Kim invested a six-figure sum to found My Fish Company, which has taken 7,500 sq ft of space across two units at Fleetwood’s Harbour Trading Estate. The firm currently employs a team of 25.

Johnathon Townsend, a relationship manager with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, commented: “Fleetwood has a very proud history in the fish industry and it is fantastic to see My Fish Company thriving in the town.

“Gary and Kim have put a fantastic team of people together and it is great to be able to back their ambition.”