A SEAFOOD processing plant in Uddingston has been bought over after hundreds of jobs were lost at the site in early March.
The Dawnfresh operation in Uddingston has been purchased by Thistle Seafoods after it went into administration earlier this year, creating 40 new jobs in the process.
Dawnfresh had been one of Scotland’s largest seafood producers, processing 10,000 tonnes a year across 350 product lines.
However, serious financial issues at their Uddingston site caused the company to go into administration, with 200 jobs being lost while 77 members of staff were kept on to assist with the winding-up order.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon warns UK leaders to respect Scotland's democratic rights
Following the collapse of the site, local MSP Stephanie Callaghan had been active in trying to renew manufacturing at the site by engaging with the Scottish Government, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise to pursue alternative commercial opportunities for the plant.
And now Thistle Seafoods have come in to take over the Uddingston site.
Callaghan has said she will be meeting with Thistle Seafoods to understand their vision for the project and stress the value of the area's local workforce and logistics opportunities.
Callaghan said: “The seafood industry in Scotland is booming, it made no sense to me for the Uddingston factory to close – the industry is a Scottish success story.
“Rather than retreat from an expanding market, I saw, along with the Scottish Government, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise, a window of opportunity to breathe new life into the former Dawnfresh site.
“The Uddingston operation provides Thistle Seafoods with access to skilled workers, as well as modern plant and equipment. The perfect recipe for a buyer to quickly restart production and boost the local economy.
“Thistle Seafoods presents a new beginning, a fresh start for local seafood production. The company has announced 40 immediate jobs for Uddingston, however, I am hopeful more jobs will follow.”
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