Historic Oxfordshire fish market finds new home after rent doubles

Aldens Fishmarket has been at the Osney Mead industrial site in Oxford since 2008 and is open all week, barring Mondays.

The popular spot is used by locals in the city and beyond for all their fish and seafood needs, with a wide variety of produce always in stock.

After 18 years, Aldens Fishmarket has found a new home, just around the corner at Meatmaster.

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Matthew Alden (left) with his father, Richard Alden. (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)

Matthew Alden, managing director of Aldens Catering Butchers, which dates back to 1793 and of which the fish market is a part, welcomed the change.

Explaining the reasoning behind the swap, he said: “The fish market needed major investment, which we were planning last summer.

“However, the landlord decided to double the rent, meaning the investment needed was commercially unviable.

“Instead, we reconfigured the existing space we had at Meatmaster and invested heavily in the space, enabling us to move the fish market.”

The 51-year-old revealed that the switch, which saw the new site open on Tuesday (April 21), has benefited the business.

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The former Aldens Fishmarket building. (Image: Newsquest)

“This investment has enabled us to offer some more amazing fish products,” said Matthew.

“It has given customers a unique shopping experience where they can buy amazing meat, fish, fruit and veg served by fantastic and knowledgeable staff.

“But more importantly, the move has protected jobs, and we are currently looking for more people to join the team.”

Since its opening this week, the new fish market has had “incredible” feedback from customers, added Matthew.

A popular feature for many years at the old address was the Fish 4 Lunch restaurant upstairs, which offered fish and chips on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Aldens staff Andrei (left) and Jack (right). (Image: Aldens)

This has now been closed temporarily due to the move, but will return in the new location in the summer.

Established in 1793 by Isaac Aldens, Aldens Catering Butchers has remained a family-owned business.

The company, originally based at Eastwyke Farm, has always been in Oxford.

Right up until the 1970s, beef, lamb and pork were reared and slaughtered on the farm and transported to the Aldens shops in Oxford’s historic covered market.

Throughout the 20th century, the butchers gained popularity, supplying a growing number of local restaurants and colleges.

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A sign directing customers to the new spot in Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

Matthew was appointed in 2003, taking over from his father, Richard.

Back in 2020, Aldens won the contract to supply the Houses of Parliament in 2020.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Houses of Parliament from January,” said Matthew at the time.

“It allows us to continue our commitment to investment in our staff, customers, the local economy and the future of the company.”