Peterhead’s new fish market could be up and running in less than a month.
The building at Alexandra Basin is part of the £51million upgrade to deepen the harbour to offer boats unrestricted access to the port.
The first boxes of fish could be sold at the new base by Monday June 18, although it depends on construction progress being made elsewhere.
John Forman, the harbour master for Peterhead Port Authority, said he expected to be handed the keys before the end of the month.
But he admitted the opening all depends on what happens with other parts of the construction work around the quayside.
Mr Forman said: “It will be handed over to Peterhead Port Authority in a couple of weeks.
“We are hoping to hold the last market at Merchant’s Quay on Friday June 15 and start at the new one the following Monday.
“But it is quite complex because we still have dredgers and other people working, so it depends if they can meet their deadlines.”
Mr Forman confirmed that workers from the authority like the new facility and it will be bigger than the current set-up.
He said: “Most of the people who have seen inside have been Peterhead Port Authority staff and most of the comments have been positive.
“It will be able to take about 10,000 boxes of fish, whereas the old one can only have about 7,000.
“A lot of the space has to be utilised for pallets and fork lift trucks.”
Meanwhile, members of the council’s fisheries working group have been given their own tour of the new amenity.
They were shown round the building ahead of their monthly meeting at Buchan House earlier this week.
Peterhead North and Rattray councillors Dianne Beagrie and Anne Allan were among the group on the visit.
Mrs Beagrie said: “The new fish market will be a great asset for Peterhead Port Authority and the town and we really enjoyed seeing around the new facility.
Mrs Allan added: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the new fish market, and I’m very impressed with the facilities it will offer to the fishing industry.
“This investment by Peterhead Port Authority is a real vote of confidence in the town and in the future of its industry.”