Our Story
Celebrating a family with over 75 years in the trade
We are the Erskine’s and we’ve been in this business since before 1949. Now moving into our 4th generation, we’re excited to share our knowledge and passion for food, especially Fish, with more than just the professional chefs of the Northwest!
It all started with Ethel Erskine, Robert’s grandma, who had a fruit & veg shop at the Oxford in Blackpool. As was typical of this time, there was a small corner of the shop dedicated to fresh and smoked fish. The selection would be kept on a marble slab to keep the fish as fresh as possible!
The first official records of Silver Fish Supply date back to 1949 when Ronnie (AKA Grandpa) continued in the family trade, opening his own fruit & veg shop on Waterloo Road, Blackpool. Shortly after, where he started to realise his passion for fish. In 1952 he expanded the business into wholesale, supplying chefs across the Fylde coast with the finest fish & seafood, delivered daily. With this expansion, he needed more space and opened up the shop and wholesale factory on Harrowside Bridge, where we are today!
Robert started his career working for Associated Fisheries on Fleetwood docks as a fish buyer, where you could find him in his wooden clogs (used to prevent slipping while on the market) on the market at the crack of dawn as a tally boy initially and then moving his way up to fish buyer, seeking out only the finest quality fish, bidding against his fellow buyers from other merchants. Fish back then was bought in 10 stone metal kits (crates), with Fleetwood market being one of the largest docks in England.
After a couple of years building his knowledge, in 1974, he joined Ronnie at Silver Fish and soon made his mark on the business. Robert and Ronnie were one of the first in the Northwest to introduce frozen foods, aiding their expansion. With many ventures and projects along the way, Robert lead the business into being one of the leading fish and frozen food suppliers in the Northwest. At this stage, Ronnie took the opportunity to exit the business in 1985, selling the business to Hedges Frozen Foods who were in a period of significant growth and for whom Robert worked with for a short period.
Robert and Julie took a leap of faith and in 1988 started out on their own. With humble beginnings in the tiny cellar of Harrowside, they quickly became the supplier of choice for chefs across the Northwest. Expanding into running 2 sites serving the Northwest with deliveries 6 days a week and landing some envious contracts, they were quickly making a name for themselves. As with many family businesses, it’s been a roller coaster of a ride.
Now moving into the fourth generation of the Erskine’s. Richard joined the business in 2006 after graduating and has been working in the freezers ever since. Interestingly, being allergic to fish, he focusses his attention on the frozen foods side of the business. Richard truly stamped his mark on the business with the introduction of our renowned cake and gateaux range for our wholesale customers.
Peter grew up in the fish prep, working holidays and weekends through his school years, followed by a years work experience before heading off to University. He then spent 10 years working in the world of Finance before making the decision to ‘come home’ to Silver Fish in 2024. The Fish Shed is his baby and just the beginning of what he’s got planned for all of our customers at home, so watch this space.
