Morrisons to double size of new Grimsby fish factory

THE Morrison supermarket chain has disclosed that it intends to almost double the size of the new Grimsby seafood factory it acquired two months ago – and create more than 300 jobs.
The company has submitted a detailed planning application to North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby) Council outlining ambitious plans to supply its 500 large stores and 100 convenience stores with fresh fish from the plant.
Morrisons acquired the former Kerry Foods site earlier this year, a large modern frozen and chilled foods factory.
But it seems that this is still not large enough to meet requirements so it has unveiled plans to extend it.
The company has told the local council: ‘We will reintroduce over 300 jobs to the town that were previously thought lost.’
Morrisons said its current processing unit had been operational for two years and the demand for seafood showed no sign of decline.
‘Wm Morrison Supermarkets have actively been exploring opportunities to expand its seafood operation within Grimsby,’ said a spokesman.
The proposals include a full internal refit of the existing factory and the supplementary offices.
Extensions are also proposed to the factory to the south of the site to provide additional preparation areas, production areas, additional plant rooms and ancillary accommodation associated with the operation.
The extension, along with extensive internal alterations, will allow Morrisons to install machinery to produce new lines for sale in its stores.
Although the extension will be constructed in phases to meet the needs of the business, it is intended that the first part will be concluded by autumn 2015.