Appledore shipyard to reopen following £7 million sale

This is a huge boost for the whole community in North Devon

Infrastrata plc, which recently acquired Belfast’s Harland and Wolff, have bought the Devon yard for £7 million.

The 200-year-old yard will be renamed H&W (Appledore).

Infrastrata say that whilst the yard only comes with one employee - the current site manager – it believes the workforce can be very quickly ramped up upon execution of contracts, discussions for which are already being undertaken with both Government and private vessel owners.

The historic shipyard closed back in March 2019, despite a wide campaign fought by workers unions and the community as a whole.

Matt Roberts, GMB Organiser, said:

"We are absolutely delighted with the confirmation that the yard will reopen.

“We have always firmly believed that the yard can be viable and thrive in the right hands.

“Our members will be excited to be teaming up with the iconic Harland & Wolff shipbuilding family and working closely with the famous Belfast yard.

“This is a huge boost for the whole community in North Devon."

Jake Mclean, Appledore Shipbuilder, said:

"We all welcome the news the iconic Harland and Wolff yard has acquired our Appledore shipyard.

“This is great news after what has been a turbulent two years.

“Workers are looking forward to getting back building ships again in our famous yard.”

Ross Murdoch, GMB National Officer & CSEU Chair, said:

"This is fantastic news for the local community and recognition of the world-class shipbuilding skills of the former Appledore workers."