EDINBURGH SALMON COMPANY TO CLOSE

Edinburgh Salmon Company to Close – Dingwall based Edinburgh Salmon Company (ESCo) confirmed it will cease operations at the processing plant at the end of the year according to an article in The Press & Journal.

Closure of the plant over Christmas will be a devastating blow to the Highlands economy and will leave 163 staff and up to 100 agency workers out of work and local politicians have called on the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to assist employees in finding work.

A subsidiary of owners Thai Union Group, Européenne de la Mer, annnounced eralier this year that the business was suffering heavy losses and it was looking at all options, including attempting to find a buyer.

The owners who recorded losses of £7million last year told the Press & Journal, “We regret to announce that no feasible alternative solution to closure was found during collective consultation.

“At this time, our primary concern is the future of our employees and we are now entering into an individual consultation process with each of them.

“We are making every possible effort to support them in their search for alternative employment.”

James Gibbs, area manager for HIE’s Inner Moray Firth team, said: “This is hugely disappointing news and clearly a very difficult time for employees and their families, and also for the many agency staff and supply chain companies associated with ESCo.”

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “I am very disappointed to learn that, after a period of consultation, Thai Union has announced it is to close the Edinburgh Salmon Company site in Dingwall. I recognise this will be a severe blow to the workforce, their families and to the local community.

“We will do whatever we can to help those affected back into employment as soon as possible. Both myself and Business Minister Jamie Hepburn have engaged regularly with the Edinburgh Salmon Company throughout the consultation process to offer all possible support.”

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