900 Scottish jobs on the chopping block at fish giant

According to reports, the means jobs at the Fraserburgh-based company’s plants, as well as a smoking facility in Grantown in the Highlands, are all under threat.

The firm announced yesterday that it had started consulting its staff about possible closures.

The news emerged just a month after Young’s lost a lucrative contract to supply supermarket Sainsbury’s with salmon.

From November, the retailer will get its products from the Marine Harvest group.

Chief executive Pete Ward said: “Today’s announcement does not reflect on the skilled teams at Young’s Fraserburgh and Spey Valley, who are committed, dedicated and continue to work hard through this time.

“This process will not be easy, but we have to face some tough decisions and we believe the proposals, outlined today, could deliver a significantly more sustainable manufacturing footprint than other potential consolidation options.

“As we move forward, we continue to be focused on providing our customers and consumers with high quality, good value, fish and seafood and we will talk, in detail, with employees about options for the future.”

Young’s said the proposal could also result in the transfer or creation of about 200 jobs across other sites in Grimsby, Livingston and Annan.

Fraserburgh’s MSP Stewart Stevenson said the news “could not be more devastating”.

He said: “It’s always been a factory where there’s been considerable interest from elsewhere. We will want to explore every option for alternative uses.”

Aberdeenshire Council’s head of economic development, Belinda Miller, added: “This is obviously a significant blow to the area’s economy and the ongoing regeneration of Fraserburgh.

“It is disappointing that one contract relating to salmon can have such an impact on the UK’s largest white fish processing region and a significant section of its skilled workforce.

“Although the decision by Young’s is hugely disappointing and unfortunate, we will continue to work with the firm where possible to investigate the options available.”