Apprenticeships aim to boost town's fish industry

"Plans are in the pipeline" to introduce apprenticeship opportunities in part of Lancashire, the boss of a fish processing factory has said.

In the 1920s, the fishing industry in Fleetwood was booming, employing more than 9,000 people, but the industry declined in the 1960s and 70s, Lancashire County Council said.

However, a fish processing industry remains in the town's £8m Neptune Food and Fish Processing Park at the dock.

The manager of Midland Fish Company, Patrick Hayton, said they now wanted to introduce fish filleting apprenticeships "to help create a new young workforce for the future".

"We bring fish down from Scotland and have recently started working with the Isle of Man, who also send fish to be auctioned and processed here," he said.

"A minimum of 50 tonnes of fish comes into the port each day."

The county council has now provided a £1.4m loan to Wyre Borough Council to enable them create new, sustainable units at the park.

Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, said: "This project is a testament to our commitment to supporting businesses in Lancashire and helping to sustain important local jobs.

"Fleetwood is famous for its fishing history, and it's fantastic to see first-hand that fish processing is continuing to this day inside state-of-the-art facilities that are also reducing the carbon footprint in the town."

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