St Ives fish processing company M. Stevens & Son has been awarded an Objective 1 Fisheries grant for over £37,400 to upgrade and expand the premises.

The project will create additional refrigeration storage and a new fish processing room where fish will be vacuum packed and blast frozen. A new electronic labelling system will also be installed.

The business owned by Matthew Stevens, who has been involved in the fish processing business since 1960, and recently supplied fish for the Queen’s Jubilee to Number 10 Downing Street, will continue to develop unique fish products, expanding on the current "Cornish Trio", a pack of 3 small fish – small Lemon Sole, Haddock and Monkfish ready for the frying pan.

The blast freezing facility freezes the fish very quickly so that when it reaches the customer and is defrosted, the fish is as fresh as it was when it was caught. This will help M.Stevens & Son expand trade with businesses outside of the South West, with prestigious restaurants and catering firms, whilst promoting Cornish fish as a product.

Additional benefits include, creating 3 new jobs and a brand new office where new administration equipment will be housed.

Matthew Stevens, owner of M.Stevens & Son added "The decision for any owner of a small business to expand is not an easy one to make. Having made that decision and with the support of Objective 1 Fisheries grant, I am really excited about the future of the business and I’m eager to get the new processing unit up and running. Alison Elvey has been wonderful and I would like to thank her for all her support".

Alison Elvey, Objective 1 Programme Manager stated "Promoting Cornish Fish is a key strategic aim of the Objective 1 Fisheries programme. This is an exciting time for the fishing industry, as companies like M.Stevens & Son secure business with well known restaurants and customers who are proud to put Cornish Fish on their menus."