The Company Shed

 

Opened over twenty years ago to simply sell cockles and prawns to locals, The Company Shed has evolved into one of the most renowned seafood restaurants in the country. Owner Heather Haward is reluctant to call her business a restaurant, owing to the fact that customers must bring their own bread and drink to accompany the fresh fish and shellfish. This fishmongers and 'eatery' therefore has a unique attraction, drawing visitors from as far afield as Australia.

 

The romantically weather beaten shed is unassuming from the outside and intriguingly rustic on the inside. Mix and match glasses and cutlery complement the mix and match seating arrangements. With such popularity and a usual 30 minute wait for a seat, groups and couples usually find themselves sharing a table. Inability to book and extreme popularity means ideas of table exclusivity are soon left at the front door. The highest quality seafood is all that really matters here.

 

Whilst waiting for that elusive table, The Company Shed offers fresh fish to take away caught by local fishermen, ranging from sea bass, cod, skate, brill and Dover sole. Being fish supplied by local boats the weather, the tides and the seasons dictate what is displayed on the counter. Shellfish, such as freshly cooked crabs and lobsters are also available to take away; again Mrs Haward tries to ensure only the freshest and highest quality shellfish is provided.

 

Once seated in the restaurant area, the choice of seafood ranges widely from seafood platters at £8.50 a head to freshly cooked scallops, tiger prawns or grilled oysters. The oysters served are grown by Heather's husband Richard and son Bram. Grown, purified and packed within metres of the counter they are served on, the local oysters are a product of seventh and eighth generation oystermen respectively. With eight generations of experience in oyster farming, the molluscs produced are some of the best in the world. Served raw or cooked, they are the epitome of a rich heritage in the Haward family.

 

With Heather's daughter Caroline as manger of The Company Shed, this truly family run business is indeed different, but an experience worth indulging in.

 

Opening Times

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. Last orders for eating-in taken at 4pm.

 

Don't Forget

Please bring your own bread and drink.

 

 

 

 

 

Images and information courtesy of The Company Shed (thank you Tom!). All information correct at time of production.