J. & T. Sawers

J. & T. SAWERS, Fishmongers, Ice Merchants, Poulterers, and Game Dealers, 11, 13, and 15, Howard Street, Glasgow. Telegraphic address: “Sawers”, Glasgow. Telephone No. 1108. Branches — Grand Hotel Buildings, Charing Cross ; Telephone No. 12. : 7, Buckingham Buildings, Hillhead ; Telephone No. 2048.

    Probably the larger proportion of fish merchandise comprehended in Glasgow’s diurnal food supply is passed through the hands of the eminent fish purveying firm to whose operations the present brief sketch is devoted. In the commercial metropolis,— where the fish trade has been brought to a standard of magnificent development unrivalled in the records of modern enterprise, — Messrs. Sawers have attained a distinguished place, and the fact, that their large and influential business has been for many years established and controlled on systems favourable alike to the entire trade and to the requirements of the fish-consuming public, finds due practical illustration and emphasis in its present sound condition of increasing vitality and progressiveness.

    The opening of their present emporium at 11, 13, and 15, West Howard Street, on the 8th of October, 1890, formed the culmination of what had been for many years previous thereto a continuous succession of improvements, rendered absolutely necessary by the expansion of the business during a lengthy period representing the greater part of a quarter of a century. This momentous occasion — forming as it did a gratifying epoch in the progress of the house — was signalised by a large banquet, to which were invited many of the most influential merchants and tradesmen in the city. The banquet was given in almost regal style, and among those who had the honour of being present, and of partaking of the liberal and unrestricted fare provided, were : — Bailie Robert Graham, the well-known news-agent, of Eglinton Street ; Councillor Walter Wilson, the “lion proprietor” of the Collosseum Warehouse in Jamaica Street ; Mr. Hugh Morrison, the famous city warehouseman and outfitter ; Mr. Nicol Anderson, the wine merchant of St. Enoch Square ; Mr. D. McNaughton, agent of the Commercial Bank, St. Enoch Square ; and a number of notables identified with the commercial interests of Glasgow. The responsibilities of the chairmanship devolved upon Bailie Bowman, of the well-known photographic house in Jamaica Street, and he discharged the duties thereof with the acceptance and with the geniality and zest to which most Glasgow people are already well accustomed.

    The public interest manifested in the occasion was partly expressed in several press notices, notably those appearing in the “North British Daily Mail” and “Scottish Leader” of Oct. 9th, neat and tasteful reference being made to the scale of magnificence and cost upon which the new establishment had been elaborated to the designs of Mr. J. Winton Mackie (123, West Regent Street), operating with the assistance of Mr. John Sawers, who is an artist of some considerable merit. A very lengthy account of the proceedings appeared in “The Scottish Leather Trader” of 6th November, and in that notice a high compliment was rendered to Mr. Thomas White for the excellence of his purveying ; and the account (therein detailed) of Mr. George Sawers’ experiences in the treatment of oysters presents quite a revelation on the subject, as interesting to the readers of the “Record” as to the group of persons to whom it was imparted with characteristic good humour. “The Bailie” — whose facetious references to “Men you Know” are never lacking in aptness — said, in noting the above occasion : “There is probably no more magnificent fish shop in Europe, and the splendours of the suggestive tiles and the granite slabs — to say nothing of the refreshing coolness experienced in the spacious refrigerator — must be inspected in order to be appreciated”. From this it will be obvious that any penned description of Messrs. Sawers’ elegant centre of business in West Howard Street must fail to convey an adequate idea of the many combined phases of ornamentation and utility it presents, or the characteristics of decorative art and lavish fitting with which the interior is resplendent. The tesselated floor, the hand-painted tile panels of which the walls are composed, the appointments in marble and granite work, the beautiful sign which dignifies the front entrance, the oyster bar, and saloon at the rear, are all features of the establishment appropriate to its class of trade and also to its commercial distinction ; and in respect of the ornate character of its appointment alone, it stands second to none in the Kingdom.

    With respect to the manner in which Messrs. Sawers exemplify the best features of high-class fish trade, it is impossible to add anything to the very enviable name and reputation they have long held for the prompt and satisfactory character of their dealings. They issue an attractive compilation under the title of “Sawers’ Fish and Game Calendar”, replete with information as to the varying fish seasons, and forming a substantial index to the classes of fish procured by them in each month of the year. It enables persons at a distance to obtain an insight into the fish, game, and poultry suitable for every mutation of the calendar, and embodies, among other things, sketches of the natural and economic history of our food fishes and game birds. To those who can appreciate a more exhaustive treaty on the subject, the firm’s book on “Our Table Fishes : How to Choose and Cook them”, presents an opuscule, fresh and intelligently written, containing much that is novel to the ordinary reader, and arranged in a series of sections in which there is not one dry word. It embodies a number of very concise and accurate facts as to “the harvest of the sea” and its consumption, the greater possibilities of trawl fishing, the importance of fish from a dietary point of view, the trade of the fishmonger, and the acquisition of Finnan haddocks and Loch Fyne herrings — two staple fish commodities in which the firm specially deal. Messrs. Sawers have done much to popularise these as against the many imitations with which unprincipled traders have attempted to satiate the public demand.

    The liberal and enterprising manner in which Messrs. Sawers have preserved their friendly commercial relations with the fishers of the Scottish coast has tended to maintain — as well as enlarge — their facilities of resource, and few houses provide with greater promptitude for the requirements of public and private institutions, hydropathies, hotels, restaurants, and all such houses where daily regularity in supply is absolutely indispensable. No class of fish, poultry, or game is excluded from their comprehensive operations, and Messrs. Sawers are thus in a position to furnish with equal satisfaction the most common produce of sea or river and the much-admired dainties of the epicure.

    The use of the telephone or telegraph is largely made available for the firm's commercial operations ; in the branch houses, at the above addresses, an adequate staff is employed, in order to render attentive service to the requirements of their numerous patrons in and beyond Glasgow. As ice merchants the firm command a business consistent with the importance and magnitude of the other departments.

    The senior partner is now actively assisted in the administration by his three sons, whose life-long acquaintance with the trade is of great value to the continuous control of the eminent business over which he presides. As a typical Metropolitan concern, Messrs. Sawers have few rivals in their own class of trade, and the present influential status of the house is, in itself, a high tribute to the abilities of the respective partners as representing the results of honourably - directed commercial zeal and enterprise, for which such distinction must at all times constitute the most proper and meritorious return.

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