Looe Harbour Commissioners (LHC) has just secured £109,000 of grant funding from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) to construct a quayside centre on West Looe quay that will aim to connect the fishing, tourism and wider community together.
Aiming to be operational by the summer of 2013 the centre will be located on the West side of the harbour and will look to support and enhance the local community through a wide variety of uses. The centre will consist of a covered area that will be open to a wide variety of community events, such as fish and farmers markets, fish industry training facilities, cultural festivals, as well as housing a permanent fisherman’s shelter and visiting leisure craft facilities.
LHC have been working with the FLAG throughout the latter part of 2012 to develop the bid and having match funded the FLAG bid themselves, have also secured funding from Looe Town Council, West Looe Town Trust, East Looe Town Trust and the Community Chest fund of Cornwall Councillor for Looe West and Lansallos, Edwina Hannaford.
Chris Ranford, FLAG Animateur for Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC), has worked with Tina Hicks, LHC Chief Executive, on the application process. Chris said, “This is a project that is much needed in the area of Looe. It will create a vital resource for the fishing industry to connect with the wider community and is a great example of utilizing FLAG funding.”
LHC Chief Executive, Tina Hicks, said, “In order to survive, small coastal towns such as ours, must be forward thinking. This is a unique and very exciting project for Looe. It will not only support our fishing industry but will also engage the wider community, as the space will be utilised for a mix of different activities. Never before have the Governing bodies within the town worked together and financially supported a project that will ultimately not only promote and serve the local community, but also surrounding parishes. The support from members of the public, local organizations, schools and community groups, has been overwhelming with 88% of attendees who attended a public consultation being in favour of the project. Looe Harbour Commissioners and the other Governing bodies of the town foresee a healthy future in the fishing and tourist industries in Looe and so believe in investing in projects that will maintain Looe’s position as a quality fishing port and tourist destination. We feel privileged to be fronting such an exciting venture and extend our appreciation to those involved that have enabled a dream to become reality.”
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FLAG manages £1.1 million of investment from the European Fisheries Fund and is administered locally by Cornwall Development Company (CDC). Anthony Vage, CDC’s Interim Contract Services Manager said “This project represents a significant investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FLAG in one of the most important fishing ports in the region. It is an excellent example of what can be supported through the FLAG as a result of a clear strategic vision in establishing a project that can benefit not just the fishing industry but
the wider community of Looe”.
Tony Tomlinson, FLAG Chair said, “This is a real partnership project where the MMO, CRCC, CDC and the community have come together to make a real impact on one fishing community. The opportunity is now available to meet the needs of other small communities.”
For more information about FLAG and other fisheries funding, please contact Chris Ranford, FLAG Animateur, on 01736 364324 or chris.ranford@cornwallrcc.org.uk
