‘We’re hoping to remain open but everything could change’
All the restaurants and hotels throughout Ireland which are supplied by Meyler’s Fish Merchants in the Bullring, Wexford, have closed due to the coronavirus, leaving the business with only retail customers running supermarkets and shops that are allowed to open.
The dining trade represents a significant percentage of the turn-over of the business and that has been greatly affected by the current health crisis.
‘We are left with the retail. All the restaurant and hotel accounts have been closed for the moment’, said owner Jimmy Meyler, whose grandmother Lizzie, an enterprising street trader, established the business in the Bullring in the late 1800’s, and then it was taken over by his father James after he returned from the 2nd World War.
Most of the staff have been laid off as deliveries are way down on what they were before the coronavirus crisis struck.
The shop is still open with numbers in store limited at any one time and customers reminded to practice physical distancing.
The steering wheels and door handles of vans collecting and delivering fish orders, are disinfected and the drivers wear gloves.
Supply is currently not a problem as several Irish trawlers are fishing out of Kilmore and fresh fish is arriving on a daily basis. Normally, a big portion of the Meyler’s trade is salmon smoked on site, which is usually in high demand from restaurants and now a small amount is being smoked for customers coming in the door. ‘It’s difficult for everyone. I’m hoping to survive it. The question is, how long will it be, how long is this going to take.’
‘We’re hoping to remain open if we can, but everything could change again tomorrow’, said Jimmy. ‘I’d like to wish all our customers throughout Ireland and everyone concerned, all the best on their journey through this situation.’