Up to 60 jobs could be created in a north-east town as part of a massive investment into fish processing.
Fresh roles are on the agenda for Fraserburgh firm Prime Seafoods after the Scottish Government last night confirmed it handed over £260,000 to expand processing operations in the port.
The award, which includes £195,000 from the EU, will allow the company to boost its full-time staff numbers from 12 to more than 60, and its turnover to more than £5million.
Yesterday, John Howland from the firm said the cash was just the latest boost for the town.
Last year, Prime Seafoods won a lucrative £1million contract to supply all Aldi stores in Scotland with fresh cod and haddock.
Mr Howland said: “Our business has gone from strength to strength as a result of hard work from our dedicated team.
“This grant will enable us to continue to invest in our business, expand our capacity and create new jobs which is great news for the local economy.
“We’ve already secured a significant contract with ALDI in Scotland, and look forward to building on that relationship over the coming years.”
Prime Seafoods, which is based at Fraserburgh Harbour, sources its fish from local markets in Peterhead and Fraserburgh before delivering them to stores and suppliers across the UK.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing will formally announce the award on a visit to the firm this morning.
He branded it “great news” for the food and drink industry at large, and for the local economy.
“This type of investment is crucial for the growth of our seafood industry which is a significant employer in the north east of Scotland, and builds on our previous investments in Fraserburgh to stimulate the local economy,” he added.
“It will also support our ambitions to double the value of the food and drink industry.
“This investment includes £195,000 in funding from the EU, while the seafood processing sector relies hugely on EU nationals in the workforce.
“Both of these things underline the huge importance to Scotland of continued close ties to our European neighbours and of the economic threat posed by an extreme Brexit outside the single market and customs union.”
Mr Ewing previously unveiled a £307,000 cash grant for Seafood Sourcing in Fraserburgh last year.
The new-start processing plant invested £614,000 to develop a site near the harbour which had previously been used by Young’s Seafood.
The cash helped to create about 20 jobs.
Young’s abandoned the site in 2014 but retains a presence on Watermill Road.
A year later, it was forced to slash hundreds of jobs after losing a processing contract to a rival.
