Dozens of jobs saved at Orkney seafood firm

More than 50 jobs have been saved after a 70-year-old Orkney seafood firm was sold out of administration.

Orkney Fishermen's Society (OFS), which is based in Stromness, was founded in 1953.

It has been sold to Orkney Crab Ltd, a subsidiary of PDK Shellfish Ltd, in a deal saving the jobs of all 55 staff.

The recent administration was said to have been caused by issues including unsustainable cash flow problems stemming from the Covid pandemic.

OFS is a supplier of crabs, lobster and other fresh seafood.

It was created as a co-operative society by local fishermen to process and market their own produce to local customers and beyond.

The new owners will continue to operate the business from the existing premises.

Paul Knight, from PDK shellfish, said: "Orkney Fishermen's Society has an outstanding reputation for the quality of seafood harvested and processed by its fishermen and staff. We are delighted to have secured the future of one of the UK's leading seafood businesses.

"It will be a case of business as usual and we also have plans to invest in the company and the products and provide services to local fishermen as we look to re-establish the business."

Hannah Fennell, head of Orkney Fisheries Association which represents the local fishing fleet, said: "Orkney Fisheries Association is pleased to see a new lease of life for the Stromness crab factory.

"Having a local processor is incredibly important to the fishermen of Orkney and we look forward to working with Paul and the team."

Michelle Elliot, of administrators FRP Advisory, added: "We are delighted to have secured a sale of the business to Orkney Crab Ltd and wish the new owners every success with their new venture. We are particularly pleased to have secured the transfer of all 55 staff and would like to thank everyone involved for their support."