The development on Lewis of a £1.3million net washing facility serving the aquaculture industry will create significant savings for Western Isles fish producers and a welcome jobs boost.

Based in the recently completed Creed Enterprise Park on the outskirts of Stornoway, Egersund Net will provide a net washing, repair and anti-fouling service, and create up to ten full time jobs once it is fully operational.

Egersund Net is a successful Norwegian company, which has been operating throughout Scandinavia for over 30 years, and a move to Lewis signifies the company's first venture within the UK.  The design of the proposed 300m² building and drying tower will allow the company to provide an all-weather service with a large capacity for indoor drying, which they hope will enable them to attract business from the north-west mainland in addition to local fish farms.

With most island fish farms currently sending nets to Ayrshire or Shetland for cleaning, the development will represent major savings in transport costs and time for local producers, allowing them to become more competitive in the global market.

Creed Enterprise Park is a recently completed seven-hectare site on the outskirts of Stornoway.  It is the result of a local partnership involving The Stornoway Trust, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Western Isles Enterprise.  The project also received assistance under the European Regional Development Fund.  Providing 12 sites, it was established to help attract business projects and Egersund Net's occupation of plot five will make them the first business on site.

As the site is fully serviced and ready for immediate occupancy, the company will begin operating as soon as building work is complete.

The project was assisted by Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) which awarded a £250,000 financial package towards the total project cost of £1,322,300.

Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of WIE, welcomed the development:  "We are pleased to welcome the first business to the Enterprise Park, especially one that will bring so many benefits to the islands.  The aquaculture industry employs over 500 people in the Western Isles and safeguarding jobs by helping producers remain globally competitive is one of our main priorities. This new venture will help local fish farms reduce their operating costs, and go some way towards putting them on an even playing field with mainland producers.  It will also create direct and sustainable local employment as well as provide short-term construction work."