Grimsby may have a tough reputation, but it still boasts a hidden fish market that keeps the town alive and kicking
Grimsby: Once a bustling fishing hub, it’s now seen as a rough town. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Despite its struggles, the fish industry is still alive.
Podcaster David Burnip has been digging into Grimsby’s hidden fish market. It’s not as visible as it used to be, but it’s still there, thriving behind the scenes.
In 2023, Grimsby had a high crime rate, with 167 crimes per 1,000 people. Unemployment is also a big issue, with over half of the working-age folks jobless.
The decline of the fishing fleet hit hard. Back in 1970, there were around 400 trawlers. By 2013, only five were left. It’s a sad story, but there’s still hope.
Martin from the fish market shared that about a dozen boats still fish out of Grimsby. They focus on shellfish, while most white fish comes frozen from Iceland.
Grimsby’s fresh fish market has changed a lot. It used to be an open-air event, but now it’s indoors and cleaner. Regulations have made it more efficient but less visible.
David reminisces about the town’s golden days when trawlermen would spend their earnings on wild pub crawls. Those days are gone, but the spirit remains.
Martin says the fish market still operates like it did decades ago. They use a shout auction system, and everything is done with paper and pencil. It’s old-fashioned but effective.
Even after the fishing industry’s collapse in the 1980s, Grimsby is still a key player in fish processing. About 70% of the UK’s fish processing happens here.
However, the impact of the ‘Cod Wars’ with Iceland still lingers. In 2012, most of the fresh fish sold at Grimsby was caught by Icelandic trawlers. It’s a complicated history.
