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Big move for seafood firm

February 10th, 2017 11:50 AM

By Jackie Keogh

From left: Monica Buckley, Donal O'Donovan and Peter Shanahan at the announcement.

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A successful West Cork seafood company, Fish Seafood Deli, is relocating to a purpose-built premises in Skibbereen.

A SUCCESSFUL West Cork seafood company, Fish Seafood Deli, is relocating to a purpose-built premises in Skibbereen.

Monica Buckley, together with Peter Shanahan, co-owners of the company, have confirmed that they will be the first tenant to move into newly-built food units at Coronea in Skibbereen.

Monica Buckley confirmed that the new 4,000 sq ft facility – developed by local businessman, Donal O’Donovan, as part of a new commercial complex – has been fitted out to the highest standards.

‘The move will allow us to move all of our production under the one roof. At present, we have a commercial kitchen in Drinagh, and we have our wholesale operation in Rosscarbery, as well as a retail premises next to Ryan’s Shop and Forecourt in Rosscarbery.

‘The retail premises is currently being renovated and will reopen in the coming weeks, but all other operations will be transferred to Skibbereen,’ she said.

‘The move – and our success as part of the SuperValu Food Academy, and our progression to the Food Academy Advanced programme – will allow us to increase production, and create ten new jobs over the next 12 months.

‘At present, we employ 20 people, but our participation in the Food Academy Advance programme means we will now be on supermarket shelves across Munster in the next few months, and nationwide by year’s endr.’

The business began as a retail outlet in 2011 and now supplies local hotels and restaurants. Meanwhile, their range of fish cakes – which come under the West Cork Gourmet label and are available in SuperValu and Centra – will be diversified as soon as they move into their new base of operation in mid-March.

‘The move to Skibbereen feels like we are adding the final piece of the puzzle,’ said Monica, ‘because we source all of our ingredients locally – everything from the breadcrumbs from Field’s, the eggs from West Cork Eggs, the vegetables from Michael Moore, and, last but not least, fresh fish from Union Hall.’

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