Sanford plans Auckland tourism development

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Wednesday 6th December 2000

Listed fishing company Sanford (NZSE: SAN) has unveiled plans for a $12 million fish market and tourism attraction for Auckland's waterfront.

The company says the Auckland Fish Market concept is modelled on a similar attraction in Sydney and will include a daily fish auction, seafood restaurants and retail outlets, as well as a seafood cooking school and lecture theatre.

Managing director Eric Barratt says Sanford will maintain its operations on the site, which include the head office, marketing departments and a fish processing plant, but the market will be established as a separate company, the Auckland Fish Company.

"We want to showcase New Zealand seafood - in addition to creating a centre for our national seafood industry," he says.

Mr Barratt says initial designs have been drawn up and while it is still at the concept stage, they've already had an enthusiastic response from potential partners in the fishing industry.

"In 1881, Albert Sanford established this firm when he started commercial fishing from his home on Rakino Island. He sold his fish on the steps on the wharves at the bottom of Queen Street - so it's appropriate we're going back into the business of selling fish on Auckland's waterfront."

Mr Barratt says the next steps for the project include formally setting up the Auckland Fish Company and finalising the design of the Fish Market. It's expected the development could be up and running in 18 months.

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