The business has been open for more than 150 years
Chris Triggs with colleague Tim Hughes(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
A family of sixth generation fishermen have been supplying the people of Wirral with fresh fish and seafood for more than 150 years. CM Triggs Fishmongers on Market Street in Hoylake opened its doors to customers on July 26 last year but have been working as commercial fishermen for six generations.
Chris Triggs, 45, from West Kirby, runs the business with his wife Emma Triggs, 42, while his eldest daughter, Olivia, 16 works in the shop with manager Tim Hughes, 54.
Chris Triggs with colleague Tim Hughes(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Speaking with the ECHO, Chris said fishing has always been a part of his life and that opening a shop was the “next natural stage” in the family business.
He said: “I’ve done it all my life. With my dad and my grandad and them with my great granddad. It’s our heritage.
“I’ve been on the boats up and down the west coast since I was four years old. It was amazing, the best childhood ever.
“We’re some of the only ones left around. As time goes on the heritage is getting lost.
The C M Triggs Fishmongers in Hoylake fish counter(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“Over time it’s going to become a memory whereas the shop is a bit of a window into what we do and what the family have achieved over the generations. It’s something we should keep alive.”
While Chris carries out the fishing, his daughter Olivia works in the shop alongside manager, family friend and fellow fishmonger Tim Hughes.
Chris said: “I’ve got two daughters, Olivia who is 16 and Anabelle who is 13, and a son, Arthur, he’s six coming on seven and he’s boat mad. As time goes on the shop could be left to them. Arthur could take over the boats while the others run the shop.
“I started when I was four years old and Arthur was the same. It’s a way of life and
“It’s just what we do. You couldn’t keep me off them, my dad was the same.”
Chris’ father, Mike Triggs, 71, still regularly fishes on the River Dee and shows no sign of stopping.
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Chris said: “I grew up with my mum and dad in West Kirby and the whole rest of the Triggs family is from Hoylake. My dad was one of seven brothers. Sidney Triggs was my grandfather and Julian Triggs was my great grandfather.
“My dad still fishes now. He will just carry on and won’t stop until he falls over.”
Despite being in the industry for so long, Chris said he’s still learning every day.
He said: “Rules and regulations have changed over the years. It’s a lot harder to stay within the job now for example the way fishing quotas have been reduced.
“The powers that be have a rule book set out and think you should be able to abide by it all the time. The fishing industry doesn’t work like that. You’re limited with weather and things like that but in the current climate we’re holding our own.
“I’ve learnt to be self sufficient. I’m still learning every day. It’s important to respect the sea and the surroundings or you’re just asking for trouble. Every day is different.”
For Chris, opening the fishmongers was a “dream”.
C M Triggs Fishmongers in Hoylake fish counter(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
He said: “It’s always been a dream of mine for a good while to extend the business and take it to the next level so when we got the offer to open the shop it felt like the next logical step.
“It’s very different from finding and keeping buyers but it just sort of evolved and we thought we can do better than this and we can offer a service to customers that’s better than what’s available.
“It’s been fantastic, the reception we’ve had off the community about our quality is great. We’re getting regulars now.
“Tim started when he was 17 and ran his own fishmongers on Grange Road in West Kirby called TS Hughes Fishmongers between 1997 and 2011 but then took a 14 year break.
“When he had his shop he started buying our shrimps so we’ve known each other for years.
C M Triggs Fishmongers in Hoylake(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“We’re shocked at the amount of old customers that have come back to him after all these years. We’ve got about 14 of them that have started coming in. It is far more than just a shop, it’s the heart of community life.
“The quality and service that they’re receiving the fish is the best around. Our fish is sold straight off the boats. It’s coming off the boats into the shop in three hours so you can’t get any fresher.”