Dutch visitors aim to develop links

The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Coun Susan Pickett, greeted the party from Urk at the Fishing Heritage Centre on Alexandra dock.

The visitors were led by Urk’s deputy mayor Benjamin Visser and included senior councillors, academics and entrepreneurs from the Dutch fish processing and shipbuilding industries.

Urk is a municipality and town in the Flevoland province in the central Netherlands, and like Grimsby, its economy has historically been based around fishing and the sea.

The Dutch party is planning to build a similar facility to the heritage centre in Urk.

Mr Visser said: “We thank our host for having us here. There is a long history of seafood trade between Grimsby and Urk. The Heritage Centre is a great example for us to establish in our home town.”

Coun Pickett added: “I hope today will highlight new trade and tourism opportunities for both towns and I look forward to strengthening our links with the people of Urk.”