Newlyn Fishing Community Interest Company (NFCIC), set up by fisherman Nick Howell, John Lambourn representing the community and auctioneer Robin Turner, has been named the preferred operator for the market after the Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commission (NPHC) put the management and operational costs out to open tender.
Last week The Cornishman revealed how W Stevenson and Sons who represent more than 50% of fish sold in the market, rejected the plans declaring they would not enter into business with any new operator should the market be built. They claim the plans as they currently stand would not be financially viable.
The NFCIC presented the tender panel with two, what they claim are financially viable, scenarios; one with the Stevensons on board and one without.
The 'winning' bid, the only one the panel considered after the Stevensons and Sutton Harbour Holdings withdrew their bids, has now been provisionally selected as the preferred business module for the market. This was confirmed by an email from Cornwall Council.
However, the NPHC has not yet met to formally approve the tender panel's recommendation or issued a letter of intent to the bidders.
Cancelled
The commissioners were due to meet last Saturday, April 25, to vote on it but the monthly meeting was cancelled at the last minute and none of the six commissioners were available or able to confirm the reason or the date of the next meeting.
Talking about the business module, one of the proposers, Nick Howell, says that the cost of using the new market would only go up by 1%.
"The Stevensons currently charge 4% of all the landings at the harbour and can take £400,000 a year so you can understand why they are fighting," he said.
"But most importantly a key point in the winning proposal stated that the proposed charges for vessels landing and selling through the new market would be exactly the same as the existing charges in Plymouth and Looe fish markets (5%)."
Mr Howell maintains that he is confident that the commissioners will issue an official letter of intent.
He added: "It has been confirmed verbally and we have had an email through so it's official and I am confident that this will happen."
Business partner John Lambourn says a Community Interest Company and the regeneration of Newlyn is what the group is working for.
Thrive
He added: "We want a future for Newlyn and that requires the main asset including the harbour to thrive in the future. The future is not dependant on Stevensons but on the people who want to go fishing."
Newlyn harbour master Andrew Munson confirmed that a letter of intent from the NPHC has not been issued but was not available for further comments.
W Stevenson and Sons maintained their letter issued to the NPHC stating the company's position on the proposed market still stands.
Partner Elizabeth Stevenson added: "Nobody has consulted us so to write a proposal that includes us is beyond me."
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN