23
East Sussex Business Guide & Directory
After many years of working in
the family fish shop, Marc Elliott,
decided it was time to launch a
new business selling traditionally
smoked fish at markets and food
festivals across East Sussex.
Based in the heart of the fishing
community in the Old Town,
Hastings, Rock-A-Nore Fish
Smokers sells a variety of oak
smoked fish including salmon,
kippers, trout, haddock and cod.
Fish smoking has been in Marc’s
family for over 40 years and the
entrepreneur takes full advantage
of his local knowledge by sourcing
fresh fish caught and brought
ashore every day in Hastings.
Marc and his partner Maria Clifton
are now regulars at a number of
markets across the county and
beyond, including Hastings,
Bexhill, Eastbourne, Herstmonceux,
Hailsham and Brighton.
Marc said:
Since we launched the
business in January 2013 we’ve
been on a really exciting journey.
Like most businesses the first
year was quite tough but we’re
quickly establishing ourselves
with customers who really
understand the appeal of
traditional oak smoking and
the unique flavours it creates.
To get the business off the
ground, Marc and Maria needed
initial investment to help them
purchase a new smoker for their
fish market premises and other
equipment used in the smoking
process. They initially took their
business plan to the high street
banks. Although their idea was
well received they were unable
to secure all the funding they
needed to launch Rock-A-Nore
Fish Smokers.
Marc added:
The Fisheries Local Action
Group put us in touch with
Hastings Borough Council and
from there we were signposted
to Let’s Do Business Finance,
part of the Let’s Do Business
Group. We had to attend a
meeting and explain our plans
and cash flow forecasts. It was
all quite nerve-racking but when
the loan was agreed we were
absolutely thrilled.
Ian Smallwood, Head of Business
Services at Let’s Do Business
Finance, said:
We quickly recognised the
potential of Marc’s business and
could see how the enterprise will
grow. It is no surprise at all that
the business is going from
strength to strength and carving
out a niche with customers who
enjoy high quality smoked fish.
To find out more about
Rock-A-Nore Fish Smokers
phone: 01424 717623, visit :
or like them on Facebook:
Local brings fish to market
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Left to right: Ian Smallwood,
Marc Elliott and Maria Clifton
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