A £2million-plus project to establish Fraserburgh as a seafood centre of excellence is still on track despite funding setbacks.
The team driving forward the idea lodged an expression of interest in the National Lottery-backed Coastal Communities Fund (CFF), a UK-wide programme supporting economic regeneration around the country.
However, their hopes of progressing to the next stage of assessment and potentially landing up to £300,000 from a £3.4million Scottish pot have been dashed.
CFF has announced its latest funding round was heavily over-subscribed – and Fraserburgh’s application did not make the final cut.
A separate application was made for one of just seven Blue Careers grants, expected to each be worth up to £620,000, which are currently up for grabs across the EU as part of a scheme backed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
But Fraserburgh’s Blue Careers bid was followed three weeks later by the Brexit vote, leaving the project team doubtful about its chances of success.
In a report to members of the North East Scotland Fisheries Development Partnership, Derek McDonald, industry support executive (rural and maritime), Aberdeenshire Council, said: “The project group considered the odds of success had lengthened very considerably … and so it was decided to explore alternative funding.”
A final decision by the EU’s Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises is expected “imminently”.
The Fraserburgh project team, part of a task force set up after hundreds of job losses at Young’s Seafood’s processing factory in the town last year, say other funding avenues are available and being explored.
Mr McDonald added: “Project partners remain committed to delivering the centre of excellence.
“Discussions continue with relevant parties, including fishing producer organisations, seafood industry representatives, public agencies and Marine Scotland, to define the scope of the project and how to resource it. A business case is to be commissioned.”
The £2.1million scheme – part of a £5million Aberdeenshire Council action plan to regenerate Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Macduff and Banff – aims to establish a seafood development kitchen, support local processors and promote the use of north-east seafood in the town’s restaurants.
A vision and action plan also includes looking at “options” for the Young’s factory, which nearly closed after lost a lucrative processing contract with Sainsbury’s.
Partners in the centre of excellence project include Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, North East Scotland College, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Seafish, the Scottish Seafood Association, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Fraserburgh harbour and local seafood businesses.
It is also supported by the team behind Developing the Young Workforce, a seven-year Scottish Government programme that aims to better prepare young people for the world of work.
