Speakers and delegates at the inaugural FPJ Conference in Perth on Tuesday were at loggerheads as the future of Glasgow’s Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market came under the spotlight.
James Mackie, managing director of Fresh Direct Local (Scotland), raised concerns over the cleanliness and professionalism of the site.
But his criticisms were shot down by others present, who warned that negativity may hinder plans to overhaul the market’s appearance and profile, with a £6.5 million revamp already underway.
Gerry Price, regional director for Scotland and North East England, told Mackie: “We move Class I product that comes through the market and we are trying to promote it because it is important the market doesn’t have a negative image for customers and consumers in the future.”
Alastair Bokla, director of Pilmuir Holdings Group, based in Glasgow wholesale market, agreed: “We know where we are now, but we need to look at where we want to be.”
Bokla outlined a radical overhaul plan for Scotland’s food system, to bring its wholesale sector together and push the profile of fresh produce up the agenda, to solve issues of obesity and falling trade.
He mooted a plan for a fresh food trade centre for Scotland to create more jobs, interest and turnover from the produce industry.
He spoke of incorporating into the market a catering school of excellence, an apprenticeship for industry skills and a number of other key changes.
Bokla said the market needed to attract more businesses from across the fresh produce, fish, meat, flower and processing industries following its redevelopment, as well as focus on attracting young people and creating a code of practice.
Mackie, along with Bokla, suggested there were a number of traders who do not justify their place in the market - employing irresponsible and short-term attitudes to facilities and investment.
Bokla said: “Suppliers and producers must be paid on time and a traders’ code of practice needs to be established. Unlawful and unethical traders should have no place in this environment.
“It is critical that the market changes from the fashion in which it has operated for the last 50 years at the Blochairn site. I am optimistic, I am enthusiastic and positive about the future.”
Graham Wallace, managing director of market authority City Markets (Glasgow) LLP, said that embracing increased tourism in the city holds the key to prosperity. He said: “We need to sustain the level of interest in tourism in Glasgow and we have a strong foodservice and catering industry to support this - we need to continue this level of service.
“Many tenants have invested internally but longer, more secure leases will allow them to invest with more confidence, enabling them to fit out their premises and improve the market.”
Wallace said the authority was embracing the idea of a food hub to combine different sectors and become a one-stop shop - also encouraging ancillary businesses such as logistics companies and firms offering chefs’ supplies to attract further trade.
He added: “We are looking at developing business with retailers and using community food initiatives to deal with Scotland’s obesity problem and attract young people into the food business. It is up to the tenants and businesses to take the opportunity offered to them.”
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