Ilfracombe harbour 'a gateway for growth'

ILFRACOMBE Harbour is set to benefit from a new regional scheme that aims to promote the South West s harbours and ports.   Gateways for Growth is a project launched by the South West Regional Ports Association (SWRPA) aimed at highlighting the advant

ILFRACOMBE Harbour is set to benefit from a new regional scheme that aims to promote the South West's harbours and ports.

"Gateways for Growth" is a project launched by the South West Regional Ports Association (SWRPA) aimed at highlighting the advantages of having a vibrant maritime economy.

The industry supports more than 32,000 jobs across the region including transporting cargo, leisure activities and fishing industries.

Rob Lawson, Harbour Master at Ilfracombe said: "This project fits in very well with the Ilfracombe Harbour Board vision 'to provide new opportunities for marine and tourism based businesses and to establish Ilfracombe as a new maritime gateway to the South West'.

"I feel very lucky at Ilfracombe Harbour. There is a definite air of optimism regarding business growth. We have two new commercial angling skippers operating from the Harbour and a third working towards his qualifications, a brand new wet fish shop on the quay selling locally caught fish straight from their boats, an excellent Aquarium on the Pier that is looking to expand and we are close to realising the cross channel ferry link to Swansea.

"This initiative can only help us to make clear the important role that the maritime economy is to the growth of our region"

For more information and to download a copy of the brochure, visit the Ilfracombe Harbour website at www.northdevon.gov.uk/harbour and follow the link to news and events.