News / Capacity concern over Scalloway fish market
CONCERNS have been raised over whether a proposed rebuilt and extended fish market in Scalloway would need to be enlarged even further in the future if quotas are increased.
Last year Shetland Islands Council’s harbour board backed plans to redevelop the fish market to cope with an increasing number of landings and to address the “deteriorating” structure.
But as a draft full business case was presented to the council’s development committee on Tuesday, chairman Alastair Cooper warned that even if the market was extended then it may not meet future demand as there is an expectation fishing quotas will be increased.
In papers published last year the estimated cost of the work was set as £3 million – but the updated report has seen it jump to £5.6 million.
The council’s intention is to apply for funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for 50 per cent of the costs, although tenders for the works have to be received before any funding is determined.
Construction on the development, which would make the market a “modern 21st century facility”, could start next year in view of having it ready by the end of 2019.
A temporary chill facility would be required during construction to enable boats to continue to land at Scalloway and it has been recommended that these facilities should be provided within the north end unit of the Scalloway harbour office.
Reports state that the market, which was built in 1984 and refurbished and extended in the 1990s, has a limited capacity at the moment and at times of peak activity, walkways can be obstructed and people often have to stand over fish boxes.
On Tuesday, Cooper questioned acting ports and harbour manager John Smith whether “this thing can be extended, because I’m not convinced it will be big enough.”
Smith said there could be potential to develop the market on the south end, and it was mentioned that some offices could be knocked down to extend space.
But westside councillor Theo Smith – who has spent his working life in the local building and construction industry – warned against changing the proposals at this stage.
“We have to be careful and remember that we’re working inside our parameters here, which is the existing harbour and infrastructure,” he said.
“If we’re speaking about going further than that, we might as well just fling this out today.
“What we have here is perfectly good. It’s been properly thought out.”
Council leader Cecil Smith said he wanted to see a “bit of flexibility” in the plans before they are rubber-stamped and called for a mention of possible future expansion to be included in the business case.
Cooper reiterated that he was not looking for a “radical new fish market” at this stage and agreed with Smith’s suggestion.
The plans are now due to be passed onto the SIC’s harbour board on Wednesday before being transferred to the policy and resources committee, which in turn would recommend that they are included in the council’s asset investment plan.
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