Fleetwood seafood processing park proves its importance to industry figures

Employment and sustainability at the forefront for prominent facility

Leading figures from across the seafood industry have been shown first-hand the economic and environmental benefits of Fleetwood’s Neptune Fish and Seafood Processing Park.

The £8 million investment was opened on Fleetwood’s Docks in 2022 as a new home for some of the area’s fish processing units.

Since then it’s grown into a crucial facility with around 200 people employed full-time by on-site fish processing businesses with an estimated 300 more indirectly employed.

To highlight the positive impact Neptune Fish and Seafood Processing Park is having, the Fleetwood Fish Merchant’s Association (FFMA), with support from Pelagia UK Limited and Seafish, recently invited industry representatives to the site to witness it themselves.

Andrew Riches, president of the FFMA said: “We really believe the processing park is the jewel in the crown for the seafood industry in the north of England so were delighted to be able to guide those involved in our industry to see the work that goes on and the facilities provided for themselves.

“This a 42,000 sq foot modern commercial food processing facility providing the capacity for processing seafood caught locally or imported.

“We’re always keen to hear from anyone within the retail or food service sector looking for responsibly and sustainably sourced seafood.

“We’re very much open for business and are excited about the potential Neptune Fish and Seafood Processing Park has for Fleetwood.”

As well as huge employment benefits for the area, the park has sustainability at the top of its agenda with carbon reduction at the forefront of the design philosophy.

It boasts all the latest energy efficient equipment, energy efficient cold storage and renewable energy technology such as photovoltaics. 

It is estimated that these works will reduce the Fleetwood fish industry’s carbon emission by 522,000 kWh annually, equivalent to 130 tonnes of CO2 and 6000 trees per year. 

Recycling is another important feature of the Neptune Fish and Seafood Processing Park with a polystyrene recycling facility already in operation with a plant that compacts waste polystyrene at a ratio of 50:1.

Currently on-site is an auction hall, various fish processing facilities and recycling centre with a training academy to be established in the coming months.

Mr Riches added: “As part of the delivery of this project we have been able to create a state-of-the-art facility, a great working environment for all employees and processing areas with streamlined production processes.”

The park was developed as part of a project led by Wyre Council in partnership with Associated British Ports and facilitated by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, with capital investment from Wyre Council and combined grant funding from the UK Government’s Getting Building Fund, Lancashire County Council’s Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Fund.

Artal Construction Consultants were appointed to act on behalf of the FFMA as project managers to lead the grant application process with DEFRA as part of the UK Seafood Fund for Infrastructure projects.

Following the award of the successful grant application, Artal were appointed to provide project management and quantity surveying services during the pre-construction and construction stages of the development.