Mac Fisheries

In 1920, Obbe with local consent was rebranded Leverburgh, and 300 men started work on a new pier and seashore infrastructure for processing the product from 50 berthed trawlers.

After purchasing the London butchers Wall's in 1920, the economic downturn of 1920–21 slowed development, resulting in the London-based Mac Fisheries being incorporated into Lever Brothers Ltd in 1922.

After his death in Hampstead, his executors and the board of Lever Brothers had no interest in the project and so ended all work, selling off village and production facilities for £5,000, and estate for £300.

It did not expand much until the Second World War, when meat which had to be mainly imported was rationed, resulting in a boom in the fish trade.

To keep fishermen safe, the government introduced a protected zoning scheme of trawlers, under which they landed fish in different ports each week.

The management turned the chain towards multi-line retailing, introducing fresh vegetables, dairy products and some canned produce.

To expand its footprint Mac Fisheries sought a merger, and found a willing seller in Express Dairies, which wished to dispose of its chain Premier Supermarkets.

After a period of rationalisation, and a return to profitability, the Supermarket Division was renamed to Mac Market, using a new colour scheme, based on orange over the traditional blue and white.

[4] However, the family concepts from both the original fish mongers and Unilever were retained, with gold watches given to staff with 17 years of service.

[1] Mac Markets' competed with other supermarket brands which were expanding far more quickly, resulting in their lower prices and higher profits.

In April 1979, the Food Centres were sold to International Stores, while the residual wet fish shops were simply closed down within the following three months.