THE closure of the Pinneys seafood plant should be halted while a buyer is sought for its parent firm, MSPs have said.
The Scottish Government has been seeking a new owner for the Annan plant, which is a major employer in the area, since the news came that Young’s Seafood planned to axe the facility and move jobs elsewhere.
A consultation with workers is already under way, with locals launching a campaign to save
their jobs. Around 450 positions would go in the change. But yesterday it emerged Young’s Seafood has itself been offered
for sale.
Private equity investors Lion/Gem Luxembourg 3 is to open bidding for the acquisition of its subsidiary Lighthouse UKCo 5 (Holdings) Ltd, which comprises the Young’s Seafood group.
A spokesperson for Young’s said: “We have sent out notification that we intend to start a structured and open bidding process with all interested parties for the sale of the Young’s Seafood group.
“Young’s Seafood is the UK’s leading seafood supplier, with a 200-year heritage and a turnover of more than £500 million. We aim to inspire people to love fish now and for generations to come.”
Business and Enterprise Minister Paul Wheelhouse held talks
with Bill Showalter, chief executive of Young’s Seafood,
and representatives of the workforce at the Pinneys of Scotland site
in Annan yesterday afternoon.
Speaking after the meeting, Wheelhouse confirmed that Young’s reiterated its commitment to explore all options available to maintain its presence at the site, while also working constructively with any potential investors.
He said: “At our meeting today, the chief executive of Young’s Seafood, Bill Showalter, said the company are committed to exploring all options to keep Pinneys open – a commitment I welcome. However, in light of the news that Young’s Seafood has itself been put up for sale, I will be writing to Young’s to ask them to keep open all options to secure a positive future for the site, such as retaining it as part of the company as a new buyer is sought, while also pursuing our existing work to identify other investors who may be interested in the Pinneys of Scotland site, staff and iconic brand.”
Wheelhouse continued: “I made clear in my discussions with Unite the Union and the appointed workforce representatives that the Scottish Government, the Council and all other agencies are absolutely committed to securing a future for Pinneys and we will continue to work with Young’s to explore all available options, while continuing to assure the workers that we stand ready to offer all the support we can at this difficult time.”
Responding to the development, Joan McAlpine, who represents the South Scotland region for the SNP, said: “It is imperative that the closure plans are put on hold so that the consultation can run its course, and so that the action group has the chance to talk to the new owners of the plant.”
Her Labour counterpart Colin Smyth stated: “The company should call an immediate halt to any plans to close Pinneys as they have no idea what any potential new owners of Young’s may wish to do with the site. It may well be that they will want to retain Pinneys and the workforce and Young’s should not be making any decisions until that is clear.
“To do so would simply show further contempt by Young’s of a workforce and community that have been treated appallingly by the company.”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said there was now “additional uncertainty” for the affected community, adding that “somebody buying the whole group may
take a different view” on
the operational value and potential of the Scottish site.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here