Something Fishy Ltd

Something Fishy Ltd is a long-established independent fishmonger that focuses on supplying very fresh seafood to local residents, visitors and hospitality businesses in West Sussex and Hampshire. Its reputation is built on a mix of locally landed fish and shellfish, experienced fishmongers and a strong home-delivery and wholesale service, but it also attracts criticism around pricing and occasional customer service issues.

The business operates from a traditional shop on The Parade in East Wittering, a site that has traded as a fishmonger since 1937, which gives it a heritage feel that many customers value. Staff highlight that they have been catching and selling fish in the area for nearly three decades, and that knowledge shows in the way they talk about species, seasonality and preparation. While this background is reassuring for anyone who takes seafood seriously, it also raises expectations about consistency and transparency, especially when it comes to how fish is priced and presented.

For many regulars, the main attraction is the freshness and variety on the counter. Reviews frequently mention that the fish looks as if it has just come off the boat, with clear eyes, bright scales and a clean smell rather than the heavy odour sometimes associated with older stock. Local crabs and lobsters are sold live until ordered, so customers can see the shellfish moving in the tanks before they are prepared, which is often regarded as a sign of quality and careful handling. Customers also praise the range of white fish such as turbot, brill, bream and dover sole, as well as staples like cod and salmon, giving home cooks plenty of choice for anything from simple suppers to more ambitious dishes.

Beyond the fresh counter, Something Fishy has built a following for value-added products that make it easier to serve seafood without extensive preparation at home. Shoppers comment on Scottish smoked salmon, ready sliced and vacuum packed for convenience, as well as French fish soups from brands such as Perard, which can be heated quickly for a starter or light meal. Having these options alongside whole fish and fillets allows customers to mix and match, for example pairing a fillet of white fish with a bag of shellfish for a seafood platter, or combining dressed crab with smoked fish for an easy lunch. This flexibility appeals to both confident cooks and those who are less experienced but still want to enjoy good seafood.

Service at the counter is often described as friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help, particularly when staff are asked for advice on cooking times, storage and recipe ideas. Some reviewers mention that platters made to order from their selection looked impressive and tasted excellent, which shows the team can assemble seafood in a way that is suitable for entertaining. This personalised approach is a key strength, especially for customers who may not know how to handle certain species or who want to try something new. However, other accounts suggest that this level of service is not entirely consistent, with a few customers feeling dismissed or not fully listened to when raising concerns.

Pricing is an area where opinions diverge more sharply. A number of customers feel that the quality justifies what they pay, describing prices as sensible for fresh, local seafood and pointing out that they return regularly because of the overall value. Others, however, have expressed frustration about specific purchases, such as whole salmon or dressed crab, that they perceived as significantly more expensive than similar items from other fishmongers or supermarkets. There are also complaints about being charged per item for prawns or scallops and later discovering a shortfall in the quantity received. These experiences lead some customers to question pricing transparency and accuracy, which can undermine trust even when the underlying product is good.

The way staff respond to complaints has also drawn mixed feedback. On the positive side, the business emphasises that it strives to keep customers happy and maintain a high standard of service, and many interactions reflect this. On the negative side, at least one customer recounts feeling talked down to when querying a relatively small pricing issue, and another suggests that a dressed crab was not as fresh as expected. For a specialist shop, small missteps of this kind can feel magnified because buyers are often choosing it specifically for higher quality and expert service, rather than the anonymity of a supermarket fish counter.

One of the distinctive strengths of Something Fishy is its role as a supplier to the wider food community, not just household shoppers. The company states that it supplies seafood to more than fifty restaurants and pubs across the local area, and this wholesale side of the business is often cited as evidence of reliability and quality. Chefs and retailers generally work with suppliers they trust to deliver consistently, so the fact that the shop maintains these relationships suggests that its product range and logistics meet professional expectations. For a domestic customer, knowing that local restaurants use the same fishmonger can be reassuring when choosing where to buy.

Home delivery is another important part of the offer. The business runs a delivery service that reaches homes, holiday lets and other addresses across Chichester, West Sussex and into Hampshire, often with free delivery above a minimum order value. This can be particularly convenient for holidaymakers staying in local accommodation, who may want fresh fish for a barbecue or seafood supper but do not have time to visit multiple shops. It also benefits year-round residents who prefer to order larger quantities of fish to freeze, or who have limited mobility or busy schedules. The delivery service is highlighted as prompt and reliable, although, as with in-store purchases, it relies on clear communication about what has been ordered and how it will be charged.

The shop’s connection to local fishing is also reflected in its association with chartered sea angling trips. The same team, led by an experienced skipper, runs fishing charters out of the Chichester area, offering recreational anglers the chance to spend a day at sea targeting species such as bass or cod, depending on the season. This link between the fishmonger and boat operations reinforces the idea that the business is deeply embedded in the local fishing community, with first-hand knowledge of how, when and where fish are caught. For some customers, this direct connection to the source adds to the appeal of buying seafood there.

Something Fishy makes good use of social media to showcase its current selection and seasonal highlights. Images of crowded counters featuring gleaming fish, shellfish and smoked products are regularly shared, with captions encouraging customers to shop locally and supporting the message that the fish is delivered daily. Followers can see what has come in that morning, from lobsters and crabs to fillets of white fish, and plan a visit or phone order accordingly. This visibility also allows the business to highlight special offers or unusual species that might not always be available, which can attract more adventurous buyers.

For anyone looking for a specialist outlet rather than a general supermarket, Something Fishy offers a range of features that matter. The shop sells whole fish, fillets and shellfish that can be prepared to customer instructions, from filleting and skinning to trimming portions for specific recipes. Staff will often provide bones and heads for stock on request, which is useful for customers who want to make broth or use every part of the fish. This flexibility enables both simple meals and more complex cooking projects, whether that is a classic fish stew or a seafood platter built around fresh crab, oysters and mussels.

At the same time, potential customers should be aware of the recurring themes in less positive feedback. Concerns focus mainly on price perception, expectations about how fish will be supplied (for example, whole versus filleted) and the tone of communication when problems arise. These issues do not negate the strong points around product quality and range, but they suggest that anyone particularly sensitive to budget or very precise about quantities may want to discuss price per weight and preparation details clearly at the time of ordering. Doing so can prevent misunderstandings and ensure that what arrives at the counter or doorstep aligns with what the buyer has in mind.

From the perspective of an angler or seafood enthusiast, the shop stands out for its emphasis on truly fresh fish and its deep roots in the local fishing trade. Customers who prioritise quality and are willing to pay more for carefully sourced seafood are likely to find much to appreciate. Those who are primarily motivated by price or who expect supermarket-style consistency in pricing and complaint handling may feel more ambivalent. Overall, Something Fishy remains a notable specialist fishmonger in the area, with a loyal customer base that values its fresh catch, extensive selection and delivery options, alongside a smaller but vocal group of customers who would like greater clarity and sensitivity around how prices and customer concerns are handled.