Bergen’s famed fish market (Fisketorget) is one of the west coast city’s biggest attractions, but sales of fresh fish may soon end. Financial losses may leave the market with stands mostly selling take-away food.
Newspaper Bergens Tidende reported that efforts to create a “food hall” in Bergen have come at the expense of fresh fish stalls, which aren’t making any profits. Fisketorget has earlier been accused of high prices that gouge tourists, and the food hall project hasn’t resulted in the lucrative businesses expected. Three out of four sellers of fresh fish have since exhausted their own capital, reported Bergens Tidende, while several have needed to take up loans and all four are operating at a loss.
Tom Rørnes, who has sold fish at the market since 1985, said that if rents go up from January there won’t be any basis for continued operation of his fresh fish stall. “We’ll be left as a pure severingsted (a place that sells ready-to-eat products).
newsinenglish.no staff