Meet the team
Mark Drummond
Mark first worked in a fish and chip shop while still at school as a part-time job, serving and helping the owner prepare and fry chips. Following his A-Levels he took a year out working at Long Row Fisheries in Horsforth, Leeds, where he trained as a fish frier. Mark then went to Trent University, Nottingham and studied a BSc Degree in Physics and Chemistry followed by a PGCE.
After spending a year in the USA he decided he didn’t want to become a teacher and in 1991 Mark bought a fish and chip shop instead. This was extremely successful and following the sale of this business in 1997, Mark bought Towngate Fisheries.
For the last four years while running Towngate Fisheries, Mark has volunteered as a trainer for the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), training people new to the trade or interested in becoming a fish frier. In 2009 Mark became head of training for the NFFF and in 2010 he also became the national treasurer.
In his (little) spare time he sings with Inspiration and Sing Live. This has included concerts and shows throughout England, as well as singing in Belfast, Disneyland Paris and St Peters in the Vatican, Rome.
Mark Lyness
When Mark Drummond bought Towngate Fisheries in 1997, Mark Lyness delivered fish there every morning. He had previously been a fish frier at Queen Street Fisheries, Keighley and when, in 1999, an additional frier was needed at Towngate, he decided to take the job and give up having to get up to start work at 4am! After a spell running Bank Top Fisheries, he returned to Towngate Fisheries in 2005.
Vera Kibble
Vera started work at Towngate Fisheries in 2008 as a counter assistant. She had previously worked at Wellington Fisheries, Undercliffe as a server and frier. When the opportunity arose in early 2010 to become a frier at Towngate, Vera re-trained and now both frys and serves as required.
Rachael Williams
Rachael is studying A-levels at Titus Salt School and works part-time at Towngate Fisheries. She is following in the footsteps of her older sister who worked here a few years ago.
Caroline Thornton
Caroline (Caz) works part-time at Towngate Fisheries whilst being a first time mum to daughter Ivy. In her spare time she enjoys art, shopping and computer games.
Ally Kinsley
Ally has worked at Towngate Fisheries off and on since 1996. Although she has left twice to try other things she keeps coming back! She lives locally and has two grown up children who just won't leave home!
Joanne Hoole
Joanne first worked for Mark at Bank Top Fisheries in 2001. When Mark sold that business she left to become an Air Stewardess. She worked for Mark again at Gullivers on Great Horton Road from 2008 and now, following the birth of her second child has joined the Towngate Fisheries team working part-time.
