We’re backing Plymouth’s fishing industry with a £10,000 grant to help explore options for re-opening the city’s fish market.
The funding will help deliver a business plan looking at options for the market, which is being commissioned in partnership with Sutton Harbour Company, Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association.
Since the sudden closure of market in May, Plymouth’s important fishing port has continued to operate due to Sutton Harbour staff, Brixham Trawler Agents and Stevensons transporting fish from Plymouth for sale in Brixham and Newlyn.
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 to medium term, as well as consider the longer-term sustainability of a Plymouth-based market and operator.
Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “The fishing industry in Plymouth is really important and that is why we are now providing grant funding alongside the PFSA and Sutton Harbour Holdings 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 Holding’s commitment to reopening the market.
“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.”