Fisherman's Friend factory faces delays over 'minor issues'

Plans for the new factory were given the green light in September 2023

A few “minor issues” need to be resolved before work starts on a new Fisherman’s Friend factory, the firm’s managing director has said.

Works on the factory in Fleetwood, Lancashire, have been on hold since plans were approved by Wyre Council on 6 September 2023.

Lofthouse of Fleetwood, a major employer in the town, bought land off Windward Avenue to build a second factory to make and distribute the well-known menthol lozenges.

Managing director Duncan Lofthouse said while plans had been approved "in principle", they were “subject to one or two conditions being met” which the firm was trying to resolve.

He said the new factory remained a long-term project, which could take up to five to seven years to complete.

"One or two minor issues may need to be resolved before our planning application is finally approved," he added.

The firm bought the site from Associated British Ports (ABP) for an undisclosed sum after making the decision that a new factory was needed.

The proposals for the premises, which will have a total floor space of more than 387,000 sq ft (36,000 sq m), include a main production area, warehouse, office block, staff canteen, landscaping and parking.

Planning approval was accompanied by a long list of complex conditions which needed to be met, including revisions to the site plan and the intended main building.

Concerns were raised at the time about the location of the factory obstructing proposals for a new rail link to Fleetwood.

However, a question mark hangs over the reopening of the Poulton to Fleetwood railway line following the government’s cancellation of the funding pot.

An objection about the factory site’s location was also lodged with some stating it might have an impact on birds living on the nearby Fleetwood Marsh nature reserve.