KEY POINTS:
LONDON - The fishmonger is the retailer that shoppers would most like to see return to British main streets, a study shows.
In a poll of 1000 people, nearly one-third said their main shopping thoroughfare would be improved by a fish shop.
About 6000 fishmongers - three-quarters of the total - have closed in the past 20 years in Britain and most fresh fish is now sold at supermarkets.
But demand has been stimulated by television chefs such as Rick Stein and publicity about the health benefits of fish. Nutritionists recommend that people eat at least two portions of oily fish such as salmon and mackerel a week.
The British Shops and Stores Association, which commissioned the poll and has 4000 members, said: "Fishmongers top the list of ingredients our high streets should have but lack."
The next most-wanted were fashion retailers (22 per cent) and furniture shops (21 per cent).
- Independent
