Mersey Seafoods Ltd. is preparing to build a brand new scallop processing facility.
The seafood company recently purchased a residential property bordering their current location on Bristol Avenue in Liverpool.
Council voted unanimously to rezone the area to a fishing and marine area following a public hearing in council chambers last night.
Greg Simpson, president of Mersey Seafoods, says the new facility represents investment in the community.
“We think it sends a great message to build a brand new building, a modern building, we believe the most modern scallop building in North America.”
Simpson anticipates there will be an increase in jobs as a result of the investment.
He also expects they’ll process scallops not just from their vessels but from other companies in the province.
There was some concern from neighbours at the public hearing over the appearance of the building, increased traffic, and the proximity of the facility to the road.
Simpson says they will work with the community to develop the green space around the building.
“We hope we can continue to have a dialogue with them and are more than open to that.”
However, he says they need to place the building to the left of a recently demolished building.
The company has had to contend with storm surges and flooding in Liverpool Harbour, which is part of why they chose that placement.
Simpson says climate change played a factor in that.
“Our buildings are moving, we’ve lost part of our driveway,” says Simpson. “It has to be so far above sea level and that’s rising and we don’t want to be dealing with storm surges, flooding in the future, we want to get that behind us once and for all.”
Simpson says it was important to the company to stay in their current location and in Liverpool.
“We’re going to show our commitment to Liverpool, show our commitment to our employees and build on the values of Dr. Murphy and Mersey and grow this company.”
Mersey Seafoods has been operating in its current location since its establishment in 1964.
Simpson says they presently employ over 250 people.
Photos and story by Brittany Wentzell
@BrittWentzell
