RX Fisheries: Fresh Seafood in Hastings Old Town

RX Fisheries is a family-run traditional fishmonger on Rock-a-Nore Road in Hastings Old Town, at TN34 3DW. Formerly known as John Swann of Hastings, the shop has been part of the area for more than 70 years. Gary Copeland and the RX Fisheries team have run it for 15 years; Gary started working in the fish industry at 13. The business focuses on fresh seafood, with fish caught using sustainable methods where possible, alongside selected farmed fish. Stock comes from places including Cornwall and Scotland, and the shop also has its own smoker.

There is no seating: customers order at a standing counter, so this is a straightforward shop rather than somewhere to sit and eat. The range includes fresh fish, shellfish, smoked fish and ready-to-eat seafood. Examples from the online shop include fresh cod fillet at £8 for 300–350g, fresh salmon fillet at £6 for 160–180g, fresh mackerel fillets at £9, fresh whole squid at £12.50 for 500g, and fresh live mussels at £8.50 per kilogram. More special-occasion options include fresh scallop meat with roe at £9 for 200g, raw king prawns at £10 for 10, and fresh whole turbot at £24 for 500–700g. The shop also sells traditional hot oak-smoked salmon for £8.50. Customer reviews mention oysters at £1.50 each, half a lobster for £12.50, and small cups of whelks or cockles at £3.20. Other ready-to-eat choices have included dressed crab with crostinis, seafood salad, crayfish tails, octopus and hot-smoked salmon.

Reviews give RX Fisheries a Google Maps rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 346 reviews, with repeated praise for the freshness of the seafood and the friendly, knowledgeable service. For people outside Hastings, the shop offers UK mainland mail order with next-day delivery. Orders placed by 10am from Monday to Thursday qualify for delivery the next day; orders placed on Friday, Saturday or Sunday are delivered the following Tuesday. Delivery before midday costs £14.99, while a requested delivery date costs an additional £14.99. The online shop is useful for checking the current range and prices before travelling to Rock-a-Nore Road.