News / Work to begin on new Lerwick fish market
WORK is expected to start later this month on the new Lerwick fish market after local civil engineering firm Tulloch Developments was appointed the project’s main contractor.
The fish market, to be located at the new Mair’s Quay in the Holmsgarth area, is set to be completed in early 2020 and will more than double landing capacity for whitefish in the town.
The Lerwick Port Authority project will cost £7.6 million in total, with £1.73 million coming in from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and over £500,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Tulloch Developments had already been undertaking work on road access and car parking on a separate contract.
Port authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said the market will “deliver much-needed new facilities and a significant number of benefits to users”.
The facility, which is being designed and project managed by Arch Henderson, will provide improved access by land and sea for uplifting fish.
The development will include four temperature-controlled/chilled bays that will extend to 1,600 square metres. The current market is 726 square metres.
There will also be more space for palletising fish, as well as a 400 square metre chilled transport corridor to improve dispatch.
First floor offices are set to be built above part of the market for members of the industry, including LHD and Shetland Fish Producers Organisation. These are being funded by the companies which will own them.
The existing fish market near to Lerwick’s Commercial Road was constructed in 1975 before being extended in 1993 and 2009.
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