Theodore Hart
1930sIn the 1930s my great grandfather Theodore Hart began working in the fish industry back then we used to sell fish and chips and then later went on to sell fresh fish as well. Over his lifetime he became a well respected member of this community.
Bath and District Fish Caterers Association
1934In 1934 he founded the Bath and District Fish Caterers Association that had the rare distinction of enjoying a hundred percent membership.
National Federation of Fishmongers
1947In 1947 he became a member of the council of the National Federation of Fishmongers. His activities on behalf of the industry as a whole extended beyond that of the NFF. He sat on the Herring Industry Advisory Board for 18 years and the White Fish Authority Advisory Board for 10 years.
The Gloucester, Somerset and Wiltshire Association
1955Theodore Hart was a founder member of the Gloucester, Somerset and Wiltshire Association (the Three Counties) and played the role of their president for eight years after which he was made an honorary life member in 1955. At this time there was a rail strike and we started selling fresh fish wholesale for everyone in Grimsby, Hull, Fleetwood, and Lowestoft.
National Federation of Fish Fryers
1956In 1956 he was made a life member of the National Federation of Fish Fryers. He was the NFFs leading fishmonger at the time and responsible for displaying fish at the then famous Grimsby Centenary Exhibition. His stand proved to be the greatest attraction at that unique exhibition.
Oldfield Park Fisheries
1957During this time we had a shop in Oldfield Park Bath selling fresh fish and fish and chips.
Oldfield Park Fisheries
1957During this time we had a shop in Oldfield Park Bath selling fresh fish and fish and chips.
The National Federation of Fishmongers
1963Theodore Hart served on all committees of the National Federation of Fishmongers before becoming its national presdident for a period of two years from 1963 - 1965. He will be particularly remembered for his major contributions to organising and running the NFFs craftsmanship competition for 15 years. In this picture he is stood with my grandfather Brian Hart who was president of the local branch at the time.
Green Fisheries
1973In the 70s we had a shop in kingsmead square at the center of Bath. It was called Green Fisheries as we served as a fishmongers and a greengrocer.
Green Fisheries
1975At this time my father Paul Hart started working for the company.
Green Fisheries
1977My uncle Angus Hart was also working for the company, here he is with and award winning display he created in the shop window for the queens jubilee.
Bear Flat
1980We also had a shop at Bear Flat in Bath for a brief amount of time.
Unit 43
1981In the early 80s we moved to our current location on Westfield Trading Estate and started selling fish on open air markets in Somerset and Wiltshire.
Market stalls
1982Originally we sold from a market stall with small vans.
Big Fish
1983Occasionally due to bycatch we would get big fish to display like this 360 pound porbeagle shark.
Big Fish
1985We also managed to get this sturgeon. In England sturgeon is a royal fish and every one caught is property of the crown, but my grandfather tells me that the queen wasn’t in the country when it was landed so we were able to buy it for £500; we ended up selling it at a loss but gained plenty of advertising.
Trailer
1991In the early 90s we started selling from this magnificent mobile trailer.
Early Start
1993It was around this time that me Chris Hart and my brother Ben Hart were introduced to the business, mainly to watch and get in the way.
Big Fish
1999We continued to get big fish like this 52 pound sunfish and this 150 pound Swordfish.
Back to market stalls
2003In 2003 our trailer was unfortunately stolen so we reverted back to our original way of selling from market stalls.
Today
2019Today the company is run by my father Paul Hart, my brother Ben Hart and me Chris Hart. With Ben's boys Alex, Ryan, and Thomas taking an interest in the business it looks like we are set for a 5th generation company.
Growing up in the industry we obviously know a thing or two about fish this makes us more than qualified to help you in all your seafood needs.
