A partnership between two long-established family businesses is bringing local seafood to homes and restaurants in the Isle of Man.

Horne Seafood (also known as C.B. Horne Ltd) has begun to supply shellfish to The Fish Market at Robinson’s, allowing customers to enjoy high quality, locally caught produce.

The collaboration also marks an exciting phase in the evolution of both businesses, with the next generation exploring new directions and creating opportunities.

Established in 1982, Horne Seafood is the oldest shellfish processing business in the island. While Robinson’s might have been around a little longer (since 1886), both companies have built successful, sustainable businesses from small beginnings. For Robinson’s, it was a market stall in Douglas; for Barry Horne, founder of Horne Seafood, it was a tiny unit in Peel with one member of staff. By the time Barry decided to retire three years ago, he had grown to employing 85 staff.

In the intervening years, the Horne name had become synonymous throughout Europe with the highest quality king and queen scallops available. Barry’s son, Simon, who went to work in the family business directly after leaving school, took the lead. He had already been managing the factory for 15 years, giving him the kind of detailed knowledge that only hands-on experience can bring.

Simon is keen to remodel the business and drive it forward. He explained: ’Our father first got into scallops and queenies when the herring slowed down.

’We’ve always focused on the European wholesale market, starting in France, Belgium and the UK, and developing a new product into the Italian market. We deliver fresh but also freeze and stockpile shellfish so that there is enough work for our team all year round.

’When Dad retired, we decided to scale down the business model to make it manageable for us: we now have 30 staff and 10 Manx vessels regularly landing to us. We’ve also modernised and streamlined certain aspects of the business, introducing new systems and bringing the factory up to new industry standards.

’In the future, we want to expand our crab meat processing and generally broaden our product base. In the meantime, our partnership with The Fish Market is perfect in our eyes. We both believe in supporting our Island economy and bringing value to local customers.’

Simon’s sister, Victoria, joined the team in 2013.

She brought with her an extensive knowledge of fisheries management, having been a policy and legal advisor to Isle of Man Government. As Sea Fisheries Manager for DEFA, Victoria divided her time between the office and the seas, working with a wide variety of people in a dynamic environment. Together, she and Simon make a strong team.

Victoria said: ’While we distribute Manx queenies throughout the UK and Europe, it is important to us that those eaten on the island are caught by our fishermen.

’Customers know that when they’re buying queenies from the Fish Market at Robinson’s, or eating them in local pubs and restaurants, they’re enjoying the best you could ever taste.’

Robinson’s has always been committed to supporting local producers and growers.

Group operational director Matty Mathieson-Nelson, said: ’We’re very excited about this new partnership.

’The Fish Market has made great strides since we opened in 2015 and collaborating with another local business in this way is going to bring huge benefits to our customers.’