Our Story

Where does our name Williams and Bunkell come from?

In the mid 1950s, Joseph Williams took over from the butcher’s in Claygate with his sons, Martin and Ian. This became a very successful business, and after a while, the Williams brothers decided to open a fishmongers a few shops along the way on the Parade. They got in touch with the National Federation of Fishmongers for advice on how to open a fishmongers. The Federation asked a member of its Council, Brian Bunkell, to advise them on the equipping and running of a wet fish shop. One of the empty shops on the Parade was not suitable, but the empty space alongside it proved ideal. Building permission was granted and within a year, Claygate had a new fishmongers and a deli!

The Williams brothers were so impressed by the advice that Brian Bunkell had given them, that they asked him to become joint director with Ian Martin to form the new fishmongers, Williams and Bunkell.

The rest, as they say, is history!

Matt-and-Mark-2-scaled

Our Fishmongers

Matthew Clift

Managing Director of Williams and Bunkell Fishmongers, Matt Clift started working for Brian Bunkell at the shop when he was just 15 years old. Matt has since taken ownership of the business which he has been running since 2009.

Matt’s skills as a fishmonger won him the junior craftsmanship at the National Oyster and Seafood Fair when he was 19.

He went on to win Elmbridge’s Best Independent Retailer of the Year award in 2013.

Matt’s skills have also won stars at the Great Taste Awards in 2014, 2016 and 2018 for the salmon and haddock which he smokes and hand slices on the premises.

He is a member of the National Federation of Fishmongers.

Mark Bean

Mark has over 15 years’ experience as a fishmonger and manages our shop.

He has won the collage competition at the National Oyster and Seafood Fair numerous times.

Mark is renowned in the industry for his skills and precision in slicing smoked salmon.