Project Neptune set to create jobs at Fleetwood Docks

Lancashire County Council has begun work on the creation of Project Neptune, a new commercial food processing facility which will generate investment and create jobs at Fleetwood Docks.

The project is backed by the council's £12.8m Economic Recovery and Growth Fund which has been created to spur on the county's post-pandemic recovery through investment in 'shovel ready' projects.

The site is currently owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) and will become the new home for some of the current fish processing businesses in the port, allowing them to grow and become more productive.

Wyre Council working in partnership with ABP will create a 40,500 sq ft facility providing space for 11 businesses housed in two buildings.

This project aims to unlock future investment in Fleetwood, as well as safeguarding existing fish processing industry jobs and create up to 100 new ones.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, said: "We established the Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Fund to support schemes which can be quickly developed to secure local jobs and invest in future growth, and I'm very pleased that work is already getting underway on Project Neptune which will be so vital to Fleetwood's economy.

"We're working hard to agree support for many other important projects, in partnership with the private sector and our public sector colleagues to deliver an economic boost as our county's economy recovers from the impact of the pandemic."

The Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Fund includes projects to enhance the manufacturing and digital sectors including support for the advanced manufacturing & engineering sector, a young apprenticeship scheme targeted at Lancashire's major industrial sector and a Lancashire Rural Recovery Fund focussed upon digital connectivity in rural economies.

Investment is being made in town centres as they look to fully re-open, including Rawtenstall and Barnoldswick, with further programmes in development including a Regeneration Programme Masterplan for Skelmersdale.

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