Plymouth’s fish auction shut its doors in May this year, but a feasibility and business planning exercise to explore options for bringing it back.
Plymouth City Council, Sutton Harbour Company and Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association are seeking to commission a this study to review the former market and identify ways in which it could be improved for local fishers, the merchants and buyers to ensure the needs of its stakeholders are maintained.
‘The fishing industry in Plymouth is really important and that is why we are now providing grant funding alongside the PFSA and Sutton Harbour Company to look at the options to reopening the fish market. We are open-minded to future solutions and nothing is off the table. We are grateful for the transport being provided by Brixham and Newlyn and hope this will continue. We are also grateful for the PFSA for stepping up and for Sutton Harbour Company’s commitment to reopening the market,’ said Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE.
‘We have been working closely with the fishing industry since the sudden closure of the fishing market and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that our strong fishing port has continued access to markets.’
Since the sudden closure of the market in May, following the decision by Plymouth Trawler Agents to cease trading, Plymouth’s fishing port has continued to operate thanks to support from Sutton Harbour staff, Brixham Trawler Agents and Stevensons transporting fish landed in Plymouth for sale in Brixham and Newlyn. This support has provided a vital bridge for the fishing industry in the city.
‘Sutton Harbour Company (SHC), as the statutory Harbour Company and operator of Plymouth Fisheries, is fully committed to the re-opening of the fish market in Plymouth, in a timely and effective manner, for the benefit of the industry, the city and public at large. The unfortunate circumstances, and very short two-week notification from the PTA, which led to the current situation also offer the opportunity for a reconceiving of the fish market, and how it can be re-oriented in the most advantageous manner possible for all strategic parties involved,’ said Philip Beinhaker, Executive Chairman of Sutton Harbour Group.
‘SHC is appreciative of the collaboration and contribution by the Council and PFSA in this effort of undertaking the business and concept analysis for the market. SHC recognises the constructive collaboration of the BTA and Newlyn markets in their assistance in ‘weathering’ this interim period until the market in Plymouth is re-established. We look forward to the completion of the study and ultimate identification and engagement with the entity best placed and suited to re-commence market activities in Plymouth, both in the mid-term and longer-term.’
The feasibility study and business planning exercise will determine the type and extent of the market and the steps needed to operate a market in the short and medium term, as well as consider the longer-term sustainability, both economic and environmental, of a Plymouth-based market and operator.
‘PFSA’s aim is to help the Plymouth fishing fleet and other surrounding ports to thrive, we believe a market in Plymouth is integral to that and we are grateful for the support of Plymouth City Council and Sutton Harbour Company in the development of this study to see if we can make a market work again in Plymouth,’ commented Edward Baker, CEO of Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association.
‘We are also continually grateful for the transport provided by Brixham and Newlyn without which vessels would not be able to currently fish from Plymouth.’
