The Fish Smokery

Jack Mills is a ‘boy ashore’

I conduct guided tours in the city, as part of my work in adult education and also for interest groups and visitors. I try to take them to the beach whenever possible and visit Jack and Linda Mills in their fish shop. Jack is a ‘retired’ fisherman-locally referred to as ‘a boy ashore’ and he operates a traditional wood fuelled smokery right on the shingle, opposite his shop in an arch on the lower prom.

The beating heart of Brighton

The fish come from the Channel, are smoked on the beach and sold right there, Jack works in ‘food yards’ not ‘food miles’. This is old Brighton in the 21st century, part of the city’s ‘foodie’ culture but also part of its living history. I enjoy it as it is the beating heart of Brighton, its real soul which will be here long after the night clubs and starred restaurants, the glitzy apartments and swanky shops are gone and forgotten.