A north-east businessman who set up a seafood business after losing his oil and gas job has set up a new online fresh fish delivery service.
Stephen Bruce was made redundant from his safety adviser post in December and opened the Peterhead Fish Company earlier this year.
After obtaining a £3,200 grant with the help of Business Gateway, a body that supports enterprises, Mr Bruce’s company launched its Trawl and Haul service in June.
It lets customers place an order online and decide where and when they want to collect it.
They can chose from a number of north-east locations Mr Bruce covers on his rounds.
Mr Bruce said the fish would be at the pick-up point less than 24 hours after it has been landed.
With Trawl and Haul up and running, his short-term ambition is to attract more customers from the retail and restaurant sectors.
He also plans to expand his delivery patch.
He hopes to be offering customers in Aberdeen fresh Peterhead fish before the end of the year.
He said: “Starting my own business had always been at the back of my mind but when I was made redundant from my health and safety adviser post I was forced to take the step.
“I’d worked as a fisherman for 21 years prior to going into oil and gas so knew that the seafood landed in Peterhead was excellent and that there was demand for it.
“People lead busy lives these days but they still want quality produce that is traceable – and I can tell them exactly which boat their fish came from and the exact time and date it was landed.”
“By giving them the opportunity to order the fish and then give them the option of where and when they can collect it, it makes life a lot easier.”
Roz Taylor, Mr Bruce’s adviser at Business Gateway, said: “Like many oil and gas workers Stephen found himself without a job and in need of a new career.
“Having worked in the fishing industry previously he already had great contacts in the industry.
“With our help we were able to give him greater confidence and also signpost him to outside organisations who have been able to help him secure funds to grow his business.”
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