IT'S the end of an era in Lenadoon today as fishmonger Tommy Curran hangs up his apron for the last time after 40 years serving the local community.
Tommy first opened his pitch near the Lenadoon shops in 1986. Over the years he has served hundreds of local families every Friday come rain, hail or shine. But today as the rain came down and a steady stream of customers bid him farewell, Tommy reflected on the changing face of his business over the past 40 years and on why he is taking early retirement.
“I can’t do another winter,” he said, as he serves another customer at his familiar white van. “Fish has also got very expensive in recent years, so I’m calling it a day.”
The Ardglass man says he’s going to miss the craic every Friday as he has made so many friends over the years.
“They are marvellous people,” he said. “But the business has changed so much over the years. The black taxis used to stop here – they used to pick people up right here. There were queues of people here. People would be coming off the taxis and coming straight to me. That was a normal Friday – they were coming from everywhere.
“And also the supermarkets came and took business away from the small trader.”
Asked what seafood was the most popular with his Lenadoon customers, Tommy had no hesitation in pointing to the brown fish.
“Everybody loves brown fish and champ on a Friday," he said. "However, fish on a Friday isn’t as big a deal as it used to be. It’s still popular with older people but not with the younger ones.”
Tommy said another reason he is retiring is that it’s more difficult to make a living out of selling fish today.
“I used to buy a box of cod for £40 or £50, but a stone of cod now is £140 on average and I’ll sell it for £150 if I’m lucky. It’s not feasible anymore.”
Tommy says he won’t be idle during retirement as he likes to travel. As the rain came down he smiled and said he's away for a well-earned holiday to Greece on Tuesday.
“But it’s the end of an era,” he admitted. “I’ve known generations of families here and the things I’ve seen over the years were unbelievable. People have been so good to me and have been arriving today with flowers, cards and drink and all sorts. I’d like to say thank you to everybody. It has been a pleasure being here.”
