Teenager Charlotte becomes Doncaster Market’s youngest fishmonger - carrying on family tradition

And for its ambitious new owner Charlotte Jackson, 19, it’s a case of destiny calling as her dad and grandma run another fish and game business at the market; G.A Jackson & Son - established by her late grandfather Geoffrey Arthur Jackson in the 1960s.

Charlotte has bought her new business from soon-to-be retiring fishmonger Nigel Berry who says his own career began when Charlotte’s grandad Geoffrey “taught me how to fillet” taking him on as a schoolboy at the market more than 50 years ago.

Charlotte, who had been working alongside Nigel as his retail assistant, will retain his support with the 64-year-old staying on to help until he retires in September next year.

Rebranding the business to Seafood City, the teenager plans to build on the success of the business adding new lines but retaining customer favourites such as current best sellers including salad boxes comprising lobster tails / crab and a “pick and mix” ranging from whelks to prawns.

She has already set up new social media channels which has seen a younger clientele join existing customers. Charlotte also wants to add frozen ready meals and seafood kebabs to the menu so people can enjoy the delicious offerings at home too.

Asked why a teenager would want to become Doncaster Market’s youngest fishmonger, she said: “Some people said I wouldn’t be able to do it and at times it has been stressful.

"But I am learning all the time and I am glad I've done it. Everything is going well; Market Asset Management have been supportive and the feedback from customers has been great.”

Charlotte’s move into business ownership comes after various roles at Doncaster Fish Market since the age of 13 – from “cleaning trays for my dad” to waitressing at the renowned Clam and Cork restaurant which in 2020 was the only restaurant in Doncaster to be listed in the Good Food Guide.

She said: “I have had other jobs elsewhere but kept being drawn back to the market.

“Doncaster Market is somewhere I have known since I could walk – a different atmosphere compared to a normal workplace – the market is a lot more friendly, it's just a big family really.”

Nigel said he was delighted to be staying on in the short-term as he eyes retirement and had no doubt Charlotte’s grandad would be looking down with a smile on the fateful events.

“It has come full circle as I worked for her grandad. I am like her adopted work Grandad! I think he would approve and be happy. Charlotte has an enthusiasm for it, and I am sure she will be good to carry this firm forward.”

Reflecting on changing tastes in the five decades he has worked at the market he added: “Things have changed. Starting back in the 1970s, more and more people started going abroad. They started trying new things, so wanted to have them at home.

“People are willing to try more stuff. I mean, we are now selling baby octopus cups ready to eat and squid and all that stuff. Monkfish costs a fortune these days, but I remember Charlotte’s grandad buying a box full of it in the 70s – he put it on sale on the Friday but had to throw it all away on the Saturday – I remember first seeing Fanny Cradock cooking it on telly. Tastes literally do change.”​​​​​​​