Where the Catch Still Lands First: Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales, Shoreham Port Review

Place — Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales

By Derek Lewis, Guest Writer ·

Fish, landed nearby and sold without distance. A working port where freshness is measured in hours, not days.

Shoreham harbour panorama with fishing boats
Image: Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales

20 March 2026 marked the official opening of the King Charles III Coast Path — a project designed to improve access to England's coastline. It felt like the right moment to head to Shoreham, following the line of the water in search of something more immediate: fish, landed nearby and sold without distance.

Shoreham Port

Shoreham Port sits at the centre of it. Each year, around two million tonnes of goods pass through here. The port handles aggregates, timber, steel and scrap metal — a practical operation that most people driving along the A259 will never look at twice.

But it is also a working fishing harbour.

The catch here is local, landed by boats that go out and come back the same day or overnight. That proximity is the point. The fish is not transported across the country or processed through a distribution network. It arrives, and it's sold.

Fishing boats moored at Shoreham harbour
Image: Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales

Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales

The main point of access for the public is Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales — a fishmonger and trade supplier operating from the port.

There's no styling here. The shopfront is clean but unadorned. Inside, the counter displays what was landed that morning or the night before. The selection changes with the season and the catch — Dover sole, sea bass, mackerel, bream, cuttlefish, prawns, crab.

Fresh fish counter at BN Fish Supplies
Image: BN Fish Supplies

Staff know what came in and when. If you ask what's freshest, they'll tell you directly — and often suggest what to do with it. It's transactional in the best sense: no performance, just knowledge applied efficiently.

What's Available

The range is broader than expected for a port-side fishmonger. Alongside whole fish and fillets, there are shellfish, smoked fish, and prepared options. Pricing is fair — often noticeably lower than supermarket equivalents for a significantly better product.

Brighton and Newhaven Fish Market interior
Image: Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales

This is closer to what buying fish looks like in much of coastal France, where quality is expected and variety is part of the everyday.

Timing and Visiting

Timing matters. Thursday and Friday are considered best, when the latest catch has been landed overnight. Visiting on a Thursday, that immediacy was evident.

Fresh crab claws from Shoreham
Image: Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales

The experience is unpolished in the best sense — practical, efficient, and grounded in place. Fish bought here feels connected to where it came from, and how recently it arrived.

With the sun out, Shoreham felt at its best — working, open, and close to the water.

Vitae Lifestyle Scorecard

  • Freshness & quality9.2 / 10
  • Variety8.5 / 10
  • Environment7.8 / 10
  • Value9.0 / 10
Overall8.6 / 10

Who it's for

  • Those who value provenance and want to know where their food comes from.
  • Home cooks looking for the freshest fish outside of a restaurant supply chain.
  • Anyone drawn to the working character of coastal towns over polished seaside tourism.

Questions

What is Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales at Shoreham?

Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales is a fishmonger and trade fish supplier operating from Shoreham Port in West Sussex. It sells fish landed directly at the working harbour — typically caught overnight and sold the following morning — including whole fish, fillets, shellfish, and smoked options. It serves both trade buyers and members of the public.

Where is Shoreham Fish Market located?

Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales is located at Shoreham Port, off the A259 in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. The port is a working commercial harbour handling timber, aggregates, and fishing vessels. The fishmonger is accessible to the public during trading hours, which vary by season and catch — Thursday and Friday visits are generally best for freshness.

What fish can you buy at Shoreham?

The selection varies with the season and what has been landed, but typically includes Dover sole, sea bass, mackerel, bream, cuttlefish, prawns, and crab. Shellfish, smoked fish, and prepared options are also usually available. Staff advise on what is freshest on any given day.

Is Shoreham fish market worth visiting?

Yes — for those who value provenance and freshness, it offers a direct connection to the catch that most retail channels cannot replicate. Pricing is competitive, often notably lower than supermarket equivalents for a significantly fresher product. The experience is practical rather than polished, with staff who know the catch and communicate it directly.