The hottest weekend of the year and World Cup television did not halt a large number attending an exhibition of proposals for a £9 million new fish market at Newlyn, England's top port for value of fish landings. The display at the harbourside brought a constant stream of people, inside and outside of the industry on Friday and Saturday, and showed the options considered for a replacement by the Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners.

Models of the market, harbour and village helped the public in their views. They came down in favour of the option preferred by the Commissioners, catching sector and merchants.

This would provide an opportunity to form a "market square" in Newlyn. Its compact form would reduce heat loss and be cheaper to build and run.

A final decision will not be taken until funding has been secured. There was strong support by the public. "Get on with it," urged one skipper. "It is great that the public has been put in the picture from the word go," said another visitor.

"This is a good scheme which could bring prosperity and pleasure for all who work and live in Cornwall," remarked another. One commented: "Fantastic! For the first time I feel really excited by the opportunities that will be available for local people to enhance fishermen's lives. Newlyn is a real jewel and to be able to actually see it will be priceless."

"A concept complete with a breath of fresh air," was another. "This should go ahead. However, it is imperative that this scheme is not watered down by funding restrictions as has happened with many other schemes. The quality concept must be maintained."

Commissioners met with fishermen and merchants to discuss the options. "They have been incredibly supportive," said architect Ian Sharratt, of Pringle Richards and Sharratt.

The meeting heard of the need for strong market management. The current demands of the retail industry meant there was a need for a new market to take the port through the next 30 years.

Mr Sharratt said at the close of the exhibition that it had gone extremely well. "Many of the people of Newlyn had been surprised to know someone is proposing something that is better than just a market."

"They consider the market needs upgrading and they like the fact there is a lot of community appeal and Public Realm involved, with a hall for other events, from meetings, antique fairs and a centre for the annual Newlyn Fish Festival. And they welcomed the strong intention to keep Newlyn as a working port and not a holiday village".

Mr Sharratt said they would present a draft report for the Commissioners in two weeks, for decision on July 14.

Tony Woodhams, project officer for Penwith Council, said application had been made to the Living Landmark lottery fund for some 50 per cent of the funding. The decision on shortlisting for this would come at the end of July with a further decision in October.

If successful, work could start in October 2007 with an 18-month build period.

Paul Trebilcock, Chief Executive of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, said they had earlier expressed concerns on landing and market berths.

"It would be useful to have an idea of how the harbour and market management will be developed in light of the proposals, as effective management will be a critical part of the success of a new market." The group supported in principle the ongoing design work.

Godfrey Adams, secretary of the Newlyn Fish Merchants Association, stated they went for Option A (the choice of the Commissioners as a preferred option) and gave their full backing to any process that would lead to the completion of this project.

"From discussions with merchants it is clear that effective management of the new market and other harbour operations is a key factor in the future success and progression of Newlyn. We remain hopeful that this is a common goal."

The Voice of the Arts group in Newlyn also endorsed the preferred option. "We are delighted with the approach of the architects who appear attentive to the interests of both the fishing industry and wider community, as well as having sound aesthetic judgement and creative inspiration!" said Susannah Clemence, chairman.

"We consider that Newlyn will be enable to flourish around the compact building and adaptable central space with views to the water, as suggested by the proposed plan, without losing the feel of a real, working, fishing port."

The Commissioners had also asked for the location of processing and other facilities, car parking, retail, cafe, etc, be explored in line with each of the three options.

Funding was likely to generate changes before a final decision could be taken, the public was told.

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