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Davy's Locker

Re-located Locker

“THERE'S no way we're closing, the rumours are not true.” Says Dave Park, co-partner of Davy's Locker, which moved to new premises on the Dreadnought Trading Estate three weeks ago. “We've just moved because we had to, due to redevelopment of the Old Mill site in Priory Lane.” He adds, “so come along and see us!”He's also grateful to the Old Mill's owner, Don England, who found the premises for him, because not only is Dreadnought within easy walking distance of Bridport town centre, there's plenty of free car parking space and disabled access, too. There's the lovely, silvery smell of fresh fish as you walk in and the place is spotlessly clean, as you'd expect from a health-approved establishment. Set on a bed of crushed ice are the day's offerings, which vary according to availability and what has been caught that day. Not so very long before, those fish were being caught at ports all along England's South West coast, not to mention from boats at West Bay. They may include bream, bass, red mullet, plaice, brill, haddock, gurnard and perhaps an evil-looking hake. Also stocked are fresh salmon delivered overnight from Scotland, trout, dressed crab and mussels. But what is really proving popular is the new, comprehensive range of fish-related cooking aids – oriental sauces and spices, Thai and Chinese curries, batter mixes and breadcrumbs. And in a packed freezer close by is a superb selection of frozen seafood such as cockles, clams, whitebait, crabs, prawns of all shapes and sizes, dim sum and even crispy duck and pancakes for an authentic, oriental touch. Another innovation are fish steamers for perfectly cooked results and delightful fish plates imported from Portugal, decorated with lobsters, langoustines, mussels and scallops – great fun for eating from and looking just as good on the wall!Dave opened his Locker to the public in 2001, so that the man in the street could enjoy the same, ultra-fresh fish as the wholesale customers. Those deliveries continue to go to restaurants, pubs and other catering establishments in a triangle stretching from Seaton, Lyme Regis and Axminster to Crewkerne, Yeovil, Dorchester, Bridport and West Bay. There are even chefs who have moved from the area, only to discover there's no fish like Dave's fish – so his wares often travel as far as Cambridgeshire, the West Midlands and London. Londoners travel to Dave, too – visitors with property in the area make a beeline for Davy's Locker before they've even unpacked their bags! A Bridport man through and through, Dave was fishing off the boats at Seatown 36 years ago. But it wasn't until 1988 that he started his own business and he took over the Old Mill eleven years later. He has now gone into partnership with Clive Langdon, the firm's accountant, who has taken over from Dave's wife, Lynn, as chief bookkeeper, to both of whom Dave says he is indebted. A second partner is Shaun Buller, a former chef from Bridgwater who knows his fish recipes and often gives them out to customers. Another new recruit is Mark Eastman, who brings his experience from Safeway, where he ran the fish department. Everyone can do everyone else's job in the informal, friendly atmosphere of Davy's Locker, sharing the preparation, orders, deliveries and cleaning up between them. Davy's Locker now takes credit cards, making your shopping even easier. They offer a complete preparation service, where fresh fish can be prepared to your requirements at no extra cost. There is no minimum order size, either, and prices are very competitive. And in the unlikely event of an item not being stocked, it is a simple matter to obtain it for you. Opening hours are from 7am until mid-afternoon five days a week and until lunchtime on Saturdays. Remember, fish is good for you, so eat more fish – from Davy's Locker, where else?