Funding for new Eastbourne fishing quay set to be released

At a virtual meeting next Tuesday (April 21), East Sussex County Council leader Keith Glazier is to consider transferring £1.08m to a project to build a fisherman’s quay at Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne. 

If approved, the funding, which is intended to drive economic growth in the industry, would be released subject to the approval of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), with a decision expected to be made in July.

In a report to be considered by Cllr Glazier, a council officer said: “[The] project will result in the construction of a fisherman’s quay at Sovereign Harbour, to develop local seafood processing infrastructure that supports long term sustainable fisheries and the economic viability of Eastbourne’s inshore fishing fleet. 

“The project comprises three distinct phases – to provide processing infrastructure (phase 1), administrative offices (phase 2) and a visitor and heritage centre (phase 3). 

“The project aims to maximise local economic benefits from fishing activity with a final aspiration to be a vibrant, multi-purpose destination combining a sustainable fishing industry for the local area with a heritage visitor destination.”

According to council documents, the project has previously secured several million pounds of funding to complete the first phase, both through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (£1m) and a Growing Places Fund loan from the SELEP (£1.15m).

The £1.08m set for discussion by Cllr Glazier would be drawn from the SELEP’s local growth fund and would be used to fund phases 2 and 3 alongside other funding.

The project as a whole will safeguard 72 fishing jobs, support four additional jobs within the visitor centre and attract around 3,200 additional visitors to the SELEP region, council papers say. 

If approved by Cllr Glazier, the funding would be transferred to the Eastbourne under 10 metre Fishermen’s Community Interest Company (Eu10CIC), subject to approval of the business case by the SELEP Accountability Board.

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