Locals shell out support for fishmongers' protest

Wednesday 03 December 2014

The owners of a fish shop on Victoria Pier say they feel humbled by the massive support they have had as they fight to stop the development of a new maritime hub on their doorstep.

Almost 9,000 people have viewed a Facebook video made by Vicky Boarder and Louis Jackson who are against plans to build flats on public land because of the effect it will have on their business and the local area and they say the whole consultation process has been a bit fishy.

You can view the video here.

A project team who have been working as a public private partnership submitted plans for Port Galots last month. If approved, work could start next year to create the new maritime centre that will be a place to live and work and will be used by five or six community ventures including the sea cadets who are in desperate need of a new home, as well as commercial businesses.

The owners of The Fresh Fish Company are not against the plans for the sea cadets to move in but they are strongly opposed to flats being built on the site.

She said: “It’s too much build on a very small site and it will impact heavily on parking. People want to park up and shop and then go, that’s one of my USP – it makes me different from anyone else in the fish market.”

She said they were consulted once last year and once this year when they were told about the plans for the new sea cadets centre and a hostel but says they were never told about the plans for the 18 two bedroom apartments, restaurant and office space and she doesn't think other stakeholders were told either.

Vicky and her brother Louis have been overwhelmed by the amount of people turning up at their shop over the last week to petition against the plans.

Vicky said: “I’m actually quite humbled by the whole experience, I’ve never seen so many people turn up and be so supportive, I’ve been in tears all weekend.”