James O’Brien

MR. JAMES O’BRIEN, Fish Salesman and Auctioneer, Wholesale Fish and Provision Merchant, 12, East Howard Street, Glasgow.

    A firm which has a fleet of steamers of its own regularly employed during the season to convey the produce of the Scotch fishing grounds to the port of consignment — a firm which now carries on a great industry as fish curers, and which, as distributive merchants has foreign as well as extensive home connections — cannot be assigned to the same category as the ordinary retail or even wholesale trader. Such a firm exemplifies the different scale upon which, under modern methods, businesses concerned with the people’s food supply are now conducted, compared with that which obtained in former times. Opinion is divided as to whether it is a public boon, or the reverse, that the most vitally important of all industrial or commercial enterprises should be practically monopolised by a few large firms and the numerous smaller traders practically driven from the field of competition. But surely it is an advantage that all operations in the fish trade, say, should be undertaken by one or other of the great firms now engaged in it, from the time the harvest of the sea is reaped till it is brought within reach of the consumer, than that numerous middlemen should intervene, all of them exacting intermediary profits. Moreover, under the former system it is manifest that much greater facilities for the early placing of fish upon the markets are ensured. Of course, as a matter of public convenience, there must always be retail traders, but for them it is an advantage — as it ultimately is to the public — that they should procure their supplies direct from a firm like that which carries on business under the title of James O’Brien.

    The business referred to was established over fifty years ago by Mr. James O’Brien, whose name is still retained in connection with it, and who continued to conduct it till his death last year. Since then the control of it has passed into the hands of his sons — Mr. William Vincent O’Brien and Mr. Joseph F. O’Brien. Both gentlemen having been long identified with the trade are fully able to cope with the responsibility which now devolves upon them, and, as indicating the confidence reposed in the integrity and practical experience of the firm, it may be mentioned that Mr. William O’Brien has been selected to act as salesman for the Argyle and Bute Fishermen’s Association.

    Originally the business was begun on a modest scale by the late Mr. James O’Brien , but the skill, shrewdness, and enterprise displayed by the founder led, eventually, to its extraordinary expansion. About 18 years ago a removal from the old fish market in Ropework Lane to the premises now occupied at 12, East Howard Street, proved to be imperatively necessary. These latter comprise a huge store and suitable offices. Even these premises, however, extensive though they be, are by no means adequate to the firm’s requirements. They have, therefore, a store in Dunlop Street, another in Ann Street, and stables and additional storage accommodation in St. Ninian Street, as well as stands in the fish market.

    Supplies of fresh fish are regularly received from all the principal fishing grounds both on the east and west coast of Scotland, including Peterhead, Buckie, Findhorn, Aberdeen, Lochurn, Stornaway, &c. These supplies, as stated at the outset of this article, are conveyed from the fishing grounds in the firm’s own fleet of steamers. Consignments of cured fish are also received by the firm. Immediately on debarkation the fish are despatched not only throughout Scotland but to London and all the principal towns of England. An important trade is also done in cured fish, especially in Ireland, where the firm have a large connection, and where they have established a reputation for specially selected fresh herrings, their brands all commanding the best prices. In their capacity of provision merchants, Messrs. O’Brien are extensive purchasers in Ireland as well as purveyors, for they receive from there large consignments of eggs, in which they deal wholesale.

    Very much more might be said concerning the importance of this firm, its enterprise, and the diversity of its operations ; but enough has been stated to prove that the business now carried on by the sons of the founder is one of no ordinary character.

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