The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a plaque marking the start of the £3m regeneration of the Isle of Man Food Park in Peel during their visit to the Island on 26th April 2012. The plaque is located on the wall of the old pump house and there are striking new signs on the Park entrance walls to mark the change from Mill Road Yard to the Isle of Man Food Park.
The first phase of the four year regeneration project is now underway and includes the erection of a security fence and gates and the restoration of the old pump house at the entrance to the Park. This building will be known as The Hub and will provide facilities for the businesses located in the Food Park including meeting and training rooms.
During phase 2, major infrastructure improvements will be made including new drainage, new power supplies, the installation of fibre optic cables to improve IT connections and the installation of mains gas. The first three new manufacturing units will be occupied, creating new employment opportunities. The final phase will see other new units becoming available and the further creation of jobs, currently estimated at 150 posts.
The £3m project is funded by Government but there will be in the region of a further £3million private investment from the companies who are building units on the sites made available to them as part of this regeneration project.
DEFA Minister, Phil Gawne MHK commented “the visit of Their Royal Highnesses to the Isle of Man Food Park has provided a great boost to this important and exciting project and marks the start of its implementation. The Prince of Wales has a keen personal interest in sustainability, and was very interested to hear more about our fisheries work including the bye-laws which aim to protect our Queenies from unsustainable fishing, the Marine Stewardship Council accreditation of Isle of Man Queenies and the Sea Fish Responsible Fishing Scheme. An industry which supports 400 jobs currently, aims to create more jobs, generates a turnover of £12 million and is embracing sustainable working practices is very good news indeed. It is something of which the Isle of Man can be very proud”.
Laurence Skelly, Member of the Department of Economic Development said: “this important project is a good example of what can be achieved when government departments, DED and DEFA, work together and in partnership with the private sector. The Isle of Man Food Park will give a boost to our valuable seafood industry but hopefully will attract other local food processors to Peel. Through innovation and market focus, more new jobs will be created, benefitting the Island’s economy”.
Barry Horne, Chairman of the Isle of Man Scallop Processors Association said: “this is a tremendous day for the Isle of Man Food Park, marking the start of the regeneration of our yards. We have great plans to build stronger businesses here by opening up new markets and the regeneration project has a vital role to play in these plans”.
