20th May 12 
Double seafood jobs boost
SEAFOOD firms in Annan are promising a jobs boost with one company preparing to almost double its workforce.
St James Smokehouse report strong exports as they prepare to open a new unit, while Scallops Direct say they will shortly be recruiting after surviving a choppy start to business in the town.
Preparing a new unit opposite existing premises in Station Road, backed by a £209,487 grant from the European Fisheries Fund, St James Smokehouse president Brendan James Mayor said: “My biggest frustration is that we’re not open now, but we are very close -- and that’s going to be initially 20 additional workers with a view of going up to 40 in a very short period of time.”
Mr Mayor says the smoked salmon manufacturer was employing about 50 workers in the run-up to Christmas but was forced to let seasonal staff go due to contract delays.
Scallops Direct is meanwhile looking to expand its products and add more jobs, as the social enterprise based at Annan Harbour finds its feet.
Founder Geoff Tunstall said: “The business has had a bit of a stop-start time, partly due to some stormy weather which meant the boats could not get out and in particular due to a seemingly arbritary block on scallop fishing throughout the UK by the Government which lasted about three weeks in early November.”
Launching four months ago, Mr Tunstall has paid tribute to suppliers TN Trawlers, of Annan, and social enterprise business mentors DSL Business Finance for being ‘extremely supportive of us during this awkward time.’
Scallops Direct offers employment for the long-term unemployed or people disadvantaged through disability, age or mental illness.
Looking to add three new workers to the workforce of seven in the coming weeks, Mr Tunstall said: “We hope to shortly introduce value added products such as scallops packed with sauces and herbs and expand into the retail sector.
“We also have a new website due to come online in the next couple of weeks which will help promote the business and broaden our market.”
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