FRP saves 40 jobs in rescue deal

FRP, the administrators of Dawnfresh Seafoods Limited, has secured a going-concern sale of the Uddingston fish processing facility to Peterhead-based seafood business, Thistle Seafoods Limited.

The sale, which is for an undisclosed sum, sees the immediate transfer of 40 employees to Thistle Seafoods Limited.

The Uddingston site extends to over 100,000 square feet and includes a large industrial unit with processing, warehousing, administration and cold store facilities, together with a range of plant and equipment.

Thistle Seafoods will develop the Uddingston site into an advanced added value seafood processing and distribution centre with ready access to retail and wholesale customers and markets in the UK, the EU and further afield.

The new Uddingston facility will reportedly complement the processing facilities in Peterhead, which focuses on bringing the seafood products to customers throughout the world.

The acquisition underpins Thistle Seafoods’ strategy to develop a leading ‘sea-to-plate’ seafood processing business based in Scotland but with a customer base expanding across the UK and all major international markets.

Callum Carmichael, partner with FRP and joint administrator, said: “We are delighted to have agreed a sale to Thistle Seafoods, which is very well placed to integrate the site and facilities into their own fast-growing business. It is also particularly rewarding that the sale includes the transfer of 40 employees.”

Ryan Scatterty, Thistle Seafoods managing director, added: “The acquisition of the Uddingston facility is an ideal fit for our business as it will provide us with a strategic processing, storage and distribution hub with ready access to the key transport networks to better serve our domestic customers.

“It will also allow us to further expand our product offering and capitalise on our fast-growing export markets. We are delighted to welcome an extra 40 staff to our company and plan to recruit further this year as we build our business.”