A COUNCILLOR is calling for independent fishmongers to set up shop in Worcester and revive an area of the city which residents fear could become a ghost town.

Councillor Richard Udall, representing St John's, tweeted his appeal earlier this week with the message: “Calling all fishmongers @NFF_fishmongers, the village in the city needs you. St John’s in Worcester needs a fishmonger, an independent business selling fresh fish and sea food. By popular demand! We have a few empty shops and we would welcome you. Come to St John’s in Worcester.”

At the moment, Worcester residents wanting to buy fresh seafood can go to the Gwilliams Farm Shop in Bevere, Checketts Fine Foods in Ombersley or the fish counters in the city’s supermarkets.

This means there are currently no independent fishmongers in the city itself.

Because of this, Cllr Udall believes there is a gap in the market for an independent fishmonger to set up shop in the city.

He said: “I have been having discussions with a number of residents and traders in St John's since before Christmas asking them what we can do to increase footfall and a common theme has been that unique shops and a more diverse range of shops is needed.

“The most popular suggestion which keeps popping up is to have a specialist, trained fishmonger in the area.

“We need someone with a wide range of goods and it has been said time and time again that we need specialist shops who have excellent knowledge.

“It would be great to have the unique expertise a fishmonger could provide as there is currently no independent local fishmonger near St John's.

“There used to be one 20 or so years ago but since he retired there hasn’t been one.

“Yes there is a fresh fish counter in Sainsbury’s but ideally we need the knowledge and expertise of a proper specialist."

Last year, residents and traders warned of St John's becoming a ‘ghost town’ with business owners voicing their concerns about a lack of parking in the area and its effect on footfall.

Research by seafoodsource.com says the UK fishmonger trade currently comprises around 950 independent operations ranging from fish shops to farmer’s market stalls and mobile traders, down from 8,000 in the industry’s heyday in the 1940s.