Investment boost for North East Lincolnshire

North East Lincolnshire Council economic development department has announced exciting plans to construct a purpose designed building for the Humber Seafood Institute

North East Lincolnshire Council economic development department has announced exciting plans to construct a purpose designed building for the Humber Seafood Institute.

The massive GBP5.5 million investment programme includes the construction of a combined centre incorporating offices, laboratories and a bespoke development factory unit, which will be located on the Europarc, near to the existing Innovation centre.

A total of 35,000 square feet will be occupied by the facility and the Council economic development department, anticipates that it will lead to the creation of hundreds of new jobs, along with the protection of thousands of others.

The expected influx of jobs includes scientists, development engineers, food technologists and engineering specialists, with numerous supporting positions.

It is hoped that the new building will quickly become an international centre of excellence and over time will be undertaking projects from around the world.

As part of the process the Council hopes to attract a university or similar organisation to run the Institute in order to create new food products, better techniques for the recovery of fish enzymes, oils, product traceability as well as developing a number of new bio-tech applications.

One of the big motivational factors behind the project is that fish is a primary source of protein and around 70% of fish arriving in the UK is processed through Grimsby.

It is therefore hoped that the Humber Seafood Institute will be able to capitalise on the logistics of having such a dominated sector and find better uses for the 50% of the catch, which is currently discarded as waste.

A search is now on to find a university, organisation or consortium to run the Humber Seafood Institute and as part of the process the Council economic development department is now seeking registration of interests.

Organisations interested should see the OJEU, journal reference number 170602-2006, for further information.

It is anticipated the contract will be finalised by March 2007 and a number of organisations have already expressed an interest in running the institute.

To help the process and to consolidate bids, an information day and briefing event is to be held by the Council early in the new-year.

The creation of a purpose built Humber Seafood Institute represents a major coup for the region and it is hoped will also help with the development of new products and biotech solutions, in order to open up further employment opportunities.

The North East Lincolnshire portfolio holder for regeneration, Cllr Geoff Lowis says: "North East Lincolnshire is fast becoming a land of opportunity for 21st century products, servicing and processes.

Building on this success the move to create a purpose built facility for the Humber Seafood Institute will enable the area to further consolidate and strengthen its position as the number one area for Seafood products.

In particular the move towards attracting biotech research should lead to the creation of high value, quality opportunities for both the private sector and our residents".

Funding for the project is been sought from the Government European Regional Development Fund for Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward and North East Lincolnshire Council gratefully acknowledges their support.

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