Talks held to reopen city's fish market

PROGRESS BEING MADE" IN BID TO RESTORE AUCTION HOUSE

- ANNETTE BELCHER

FRESH talks are being held over the reopening of the fish market in Plymouth. Plymouth City Council, Sutton Harbour Company and Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association have confirmed they are working together to commission a feasibility and business planning exercise to help explore options for its reopening.

Since the sudden closure of the market in May, following the decision by Plymouth Trawler Agents to cease trading, Plymouth's important fishing port has continued to operate, with support from Sutton Harbour staff, Brixham Trawler Agents and Stevensons transporting fish landed in Plymouth for sale in Brixham and Newlyn.

The feasibility study and business planning exercise will determine the type and extent of the market and the steps needed to operate a market in the short and medium term, as well as consider the longer-term sustainability, both economic and environmental, of a Plymouthbased market and operator.

The council says this work will review the former market and seek to identify ways in which it could be improved for local fishers, the merchants and buyers.