Concerns over Arnish are discussed at a group meeting of interested parties on the island.

A united front has been formed on the Isle of Lewis to demand community involvement in determining the future of the Arnish fabrication yard.
A united front has been formed on the island in an attempt to ensure the Arnish yard is saved for the community. Pic: Peter UrpethA united front has been formed on the island in an attempt to ensure the Arnish yard is saved for the community. Pic: Peter Urpeth
A united front has been formed on the island in an attempt to ensure the Arnish yard is saved for the community. Pic: Peter Urpeth

The yard is currently leased by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to BiFab, the company which is now in administration after failing to win key contracts.

There are fears that the Arnish lease could be sold by the administrator to a buyer as part of an overall disposal without any guarantee that this would be in the best interests of the Lewis yard.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Stornoway Trust and the Action for Arnish campaign group have now written to Highlands and Islands Enterprise asking for a meeting at which assurances would be sought on conditions for the transfer of the Arnish lease.

Following a meeting of the island interests, a joint letter to HIE chairman Alistair Dodds stated: “There was strong agreement that the most appropriate strategic approach for both Arnish and the local economy is for the yard to be decoupled from BiFab and re-established as an independent, free-standing facility.

“This will allow Arnish greater market freedom and flexibility, while opening the potential for multiple use and multiple occupation. “

Comhairle leader Roddie Mackay said: “There is a short period of time over the next weeks to ensure the BiFab Administrators, the Scottish Government and other interested parties are fully appraised in regard to local aspirations around the Arnish yard.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Highlands and Islands Enterprise has a key role to play and we are keen to engage and work with them.”

The chairman of Action for Arnish, Iain MacLeod, said: “This is far too important an issue for the island to be left to others. We do not want to wake up one morning to find that Arnish is now in the hands of another company who may have no real interest in investing or developing its potential”.

Stornoway Trust factor, Iain MacIver, added: “The Trust recognises the important contribution a fully operational facility at Arnish can play in the proposed development of the west harbour area. To help ensure the fulfilment of that potential we must strive to ensure that those who may seek control of it are able to demonstrate their ongoing commitment in the best interests of our island and its workforce.”

Gary Smith, Scotland secretary of the GMB union which is supporting the Action for Arnish campaign, backed the unified approach from the various bodies on the island. He said: “The guidance we have received is that there are several interests in BiFab as a whole but also separate interest in Arnish alone. Decisions are likely to be made soon by the Administrators and it would be outrageous if, once again, Arnish was caught up in a deal to which it is not central”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alistair Dodds, Chair of HIE, said: “The fabrication yard at Arnish remains a great asset for Stornoway and the Outer Hebrides. We are already focused on exploring opportunities to create new economic activity that will create sustainable employment at Arnish.

“We are keen to positively engage with our partners and the community on the Isle of Lewis as part of proactive work underway with the administrators of BiFab and the Scottish Government to determine the future of Arnish and to achieve the best outcome for the local economy.

“The yard’s location, sea access and infrastructure make it suitable for a range of different uses and not only renewables fabrication work.

“Our ambition is to see these premises return to productive use as soon as possible, with a new tenant working alongside existing businesses at Arnish to provide good quality jobs and make the most of the site’s considerable potential.”