Thank you for your replies.
SG6 and mikem - I have a long history with very thorny gooseberry bushes going back to toddler days
In fact it was only the thorns that kept some of the gooseberries for other family members (that and a few incidents where I got way too close courtesy of an older relative). Needless to say I am a dab hand at picking gooseberries without getting pricked. I absolutely love them and will eat them straight off the bush whether the berries are really ready or not.
Never heard of jostaberries but will look them up, thanks. Apart from liking gooseberries the main reason is that they are shade tolerant. The plot I have been offered (and unless my visit on Friday shows something really wrong with the plot I will take it on) has trees fully on one side and slightly curving round the corners. Although the plot is SW facing or slightly further round so seems to get plenty of sun there is going to be some shade even if it is partial. I also know that gooseberries seem to be quite an easy plant for novices to grow.
I think gooseberries, black currants and possibly these jostaberries are going to get in somewhere. Now it is the veg I have to look at.
One last thing, I have an absolute sun trap at home in the back yard so I reckon a small fruit tree in a largish tub might be a possibility. Does anyone have any recommendations for tub or pot grown fruit trees? I was thinking perhaps a plum, peach or even apricot but I do not know if these are hard to grow in pots. Any advice? When I say sun trap I mean if the sun is shining it seems to get several degrees hotter out back than when in the open nearby. That is of course subjective but it has tarmac and bright walls on two sides facing the sun.