When it announced the project Morrisons claimed it would be the only major food retailer to source fish from the quayside and process it for sale across the UK.
The new business will fillet and portion a variety of seafood, and will process: salmon, cod, haddock, smoked cod, smoked haddock, cold water prawns, mussels and surimi.
Manufacture more
The launch is part of the retailer’s strategy to manufacture more of the fresh food that is sold in its stores. “By developing this business, the company will be in an enhanced position to deliver quality fresh and frozen seafood more quickly into store – and at an affordable price for shoppers,” the company said in a statement.
Dalton Philips, chief executive of Morrison, added: “Nobody else is buying direct from the quayside but we’re doing it. This seafood business will allow us to move our fish from ‘catch to kitchen’ even more quickly, giving our customers fantastic quality seafood products at stunning prices.”
Morrisons is due to report its half year results on Thursday September 6.
By the time it is fully operational at the end of the year, it is expected the facility will employ 200 staff and produce about 200t of seafood a week. Fish will be received daily at the site for processing and same-day distribution to Morrisons’ supermarkets.
