Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Walter Purkis
Walter Purkis, Crouch End
Yesterday I went into this wonderful local fishmongers to buy some of their home-smoked salmon, to be told that they aren't currently allowed to use their smokehouse. A neighbour, who apparently has built his office next to Purkis' chimney, has complained, and the council has stopped the smoking.
The smokehouse has been in use for over 100 years, and produces superb smoked haddock and salmon. It was very sad to see one of the counters empty apart from packets of machine-smoked salmon.
For the history of Purkis see http://purkisfishmongers.homestead.com/AboutUsduplicate.html
Do other people feel as outraged as me?
At Cllr David Winskill's suggestion, I've emailed Cllr Nilgun Canver (Nilgun.Canver@haringey.gov.uk)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Yes, we're a great source of stories for the Ham and High and the other Archant titles.
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Permalink Reply by 24j0z5fsr8cu2 on
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can't they come to a compromise ?
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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How pathetic. If you buy or rent a place next to a business you should understand the implications of It, it's not exactly like they started this business recently. I don't get Crouch Enders, they buy the smoked salmon then complain about the smell. What next, some one who is wheat intolerant complaining about living over Dunns?
Now, if they moved to Leeds.................
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One Crouch Ender.
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So Jacki, after 130 years do you have any idea why has this suddenly become a problem?
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Because one person has complained.
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I read about this last week, it's terrible. There are enough fried chicken shops that keep popping up, but no one seems to complain about the smell of them. With the history of the smokehouse you'd think that there might be a preservation order to keep something so historic going. Sadly I hadn't discovered that the shop was there, otherwise I would have been a regular customer.
What can we do to try and get this decision reversed?
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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The council have seen sense. Hurrah. Purkis smokehouse to re-open
Story from Broadway Ham and High:
Crouch End’s historic fish smokehouse will once again be producing its famous kippers after Haringey Council caved in to public pressure.
Walter Purkis & Sons’ smokehouse – found behind the Broadway shop and believed to be the oldest in London – is to be allowed to reopen three weeks after a council officer shut it down for breaching the Environmental Protection Act and the Clean Air Act following a single complaint about the smell.
Mr Purkis and his son John were warned if they operated it again, they risked being fined.
But now the council has backed down and is allowing the fishmonger’s to once more smoke their kippers, salmon and mackerels in the 1880 building.
Cllr Nilgun Canver, cabinet member for the environment, said: “We recognise the unique nature of this family business and its importance to the local community, and we are really keen to help find a solution in the best interests of everyone involved.
“We have been working closely with Mr Purkis to help him find a way to reopen the smokehouse while also reducing the impact on neighbours. It has now been agreed that Mr Purkis will reopen the smokehouse and we will support Mr Purkis over the coming months to help him upgrade the smokehouse equipment.”
But Mr Purkis, who has owned the Crouch End shop since 1982, is not yet convinced by their promises.
“We will be happy if it does come out right but we are a little worried in case it is a temporary thing until things have calmed down,” he said.
Indeed, since the Broadway highlighted the plight of the smokehouse, it has attracted attention from national newspapers and TV stations as well as residents. Its closure has even sparked a petition across the pond in New York, where Mr Purkis’ daughter had treated colleagues on Wall Street to her father’s wares.
“All the bankers thought it was wonderful so they were all up in arms when they heard Haringey had closed the smokehouse down,” said Mr Purkis, 65, who expressed his gratitude to all the loyal customers for the support they have shown him over the last few weeks.
“We will have to think of a way to say thank you,” he said.
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Great news. I look forward to some smoked haddock.
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Rejoice, rejoice! I went in earlier this week and the stress on JP was palpable. So pleased that it's been resolved.
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Permalink Reply by Nilgun Canver on
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Hi Liz and everyone,
I’ve been looking into this case personally this week. I’m pleased to say it should now be resolved. Mr Purkis has been allowed to re-open the smokehouse and the council will be supporting him to upgrade his smokehouse equipment. This should hopefully lead to a positive outcome for both close residents and Mr Purkis (and, of course, his customers).
The below quote has been issued to the press today.
Cllr Canver, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We recognise the unique nature of this family business and its importance to the local community, and we are really keen to help find a solution in the best interests of everyone involved.
“We have been working closely with Mr Purkis to help him find a way to reopen the smokehouse while also reducing the impact on neighbours. It has now been agreed that Mr Purkis will reopen the smokehouse and we will support Mr Purkis over the coming months to help him upgrade the smokehouse equipment.”
Have a good weekend.
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