40 companies are to relocate themselves to the Seafood Village (Photo: Stock File)

Seafood Village to begin construction

UNITED KINGDOM
Friday, July 30, 2010, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The construction of Grimsby's new GBP 3 million (EUR 3.6 million) Seafood Village will launch on Monday now that planning chiefs have unanimously approved the application.

As many as 40 companies now sited in old buildings on the town's fish docks will situate themselves at the Seafood Village.

Fish processing bosses are anticipating attracting a new set of young workers to the industry, reports the Grimsby Telegraph.

Hopes are set that the Seafood Village will solidify the region's repute as the undeniable capital of seafood production, the BBC reports.

North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee rushed to approve the application on Wednesday morning despite residents' concerns that the 1.9 hectare development may bring about noise pollution and look unappealing. Concerns also exist about the plan’s effects on landscape and wildlife.

Councillors assured neighbours that the investment would protect 500 local jobs and offer a fundamental career path for the unemployed young denizens.

Steve Norton, of the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association, said it was a fantastic opportunity and would help boost the local economy.

More than 25 companies intend to move into the new facility on the 3 acre site off Wickham Road.

The first phase of the project will entail the building of 20 self-contained units, and the second phase will bring it up to 40.

Work on the 20 new processing units is set to be finished as early as April 2011

Norton said the development would constitute a "catalyst of change" for the community.

"We're facing an ageing workforce in our industry... I think this will act as a catalyst of change,” he commented.

"It will be an opportunity to attract new people in and I think it will give business... greater opportunity to do more work for retailers and to actually strengthen that brand that we already have, which is Grimsby fish," he added.

Work may start on the Seafood Village by September.

Related article:

- Grimsby and Newlyn seafood schemes score grants

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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