Fish plant hopes to bring jobs back after its recovery

Published on Wednesday 10 March 2010 21:15

NEARLY 100 jobs are being created as a fish-farm producer will reopen a processing plant it closed just over a year ago.

Lighthouse Caledonia shut its Marybank facility in Stornoway, Lewis, in December 2008 with the loss of 130 posts.

Since then, the company's fortunes have improved after a rescue last year. It is now seeking to recruit about 90 employees.

It is making the move in order to process the salmon that will start to be harvested this summer from its Loch Roag site in the Outer Hebrides. Jim Mullins, the chairman of Lighthouse Caledonia, said: "The need for a factory is immediate in order to deal with this harvest in the freshest way.

"We believe that, by harvesting and processing the fish locally, we can produce a Hebridean salmon product that is of the highest quality."

Lighthouse was also recently granted planning permission to build a plant at Arnish Point. To meet the immediate demand, it will use its existing site.

Mr Mullins added: "Over the past year, the company has made huge steps forward in terms of sustainability and strengthening the business, working tirelessly to bring jobs back to the island."