Plymouth City Council, Sutton Harbour Company and Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association are working together to commission a feasibility and business planning exercise to help explore options for re-opening the city’s fish market.
Since the sudden closure of the market in May, following the decision by Plymouth Trawler Agents to cease trading, Plymouth’s important 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. There is clear demand from vessel operators and fish merchants based here to have access to a fish market locally, and the partners are now seeking support from experts in the field to determine exactly what this provision should look like.
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.
This work will review the former market and seek to identify ways in which it could be improved for local fishers, the merchants and buyers to ensure the city has a robust offering that fills the needs of its stakeholders and retains an important cultural aspect of the city for future generations to enjoy.
The opportunity to bid to undertake this work is advertised through PFSA. If you believe you have the credentials, expertise and knowledge to help shape the future of Plymouth’s fishing industry please contact the PFSA through Hello@pfsa.uk.
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 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.
“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.”
Philip Beinhaker, Executive Chairman of Sutton Harbour Group, said: "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.
“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.”
Edward Baker, CEO of Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association said: "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. 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."