PROFESSIONALS are being sought to work as volunteers on a new venture to breathe new life into the historic harbour area of Musselburgh.

They are being asked to join a new group, the Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association, which is being formed to progress future plans.

Local resident and sailor David Wilkie is currently heading up the Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Steering Group, which has already obtained funding from Musselburgh Common Good Fund to pay for a feasibility study to determine what repairs and maintenance are needed for the site.

He said the steering group, which also includes vice-chair Veronica Noone and secretary Helen Greene, was ready to “recruit people with the right level of qualifications” to become trustees.

Seven people are needed to fill the voluntary roles of chair, vice-chair, treasurer, secretary and three operational posts of seafront manager, harbour manager and business development manager.

The harbour and waterfront area is owned by Musselburgh Common Good Fund and managed by East Lothian Council, and it is hoped that a new association could transform the area, which harbour users and residents have complained is “badly neglected”.

Mr Wilkie said: “We are currently supported by East Lothian Council and are negotiating a management agreement with the council for the new association to take on the responsibility for the management, maintenance and development of the harbour area.

“We are also applying for the new association to be a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which will give trustees a high protection against liability and give the group the ability to apply for outside funding.

“This area has huge potential and we are looking for the right people to harness this. We need people with vision and ambition who are passionate about coastal regeneration and have some spare time to give to transform this entire area.”

Musselburgh councillor John Williamson said: “The formation of Fisherrow Seafront and Harbour Association is an exciting development which will have a big impact on the regeneration and transformation of Fisherrow Harbour and the immediate seafront area.

“The ancient historic harbour is in need of repair and refurbishment to bring it up to modern standards and the association will be key players in taking this forward in association with the council.

“The efforts and preparatory work undertaken by the steering group to bring the association to fruition has to be congratulated and is a job well done.

“I hope suitably qualified interested individuals will express an interest in filling the roles being advertised and I look forward to a bright future for Fisherrow Harbour and the seafront area.”

The steering group is made up of local councillors and members of Fisherrow Yacht Club, Eskmuthe Rowing Club, Fisherrow Waterfront Group, Musselburgh Sea Cadets, Fisherrow Berthholders, Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council and Musselburgh Area Partnership manager Stuart Baxter.

Those wanting more information or who are interested in any of the positions, a note of interest can be sent to the steering group detailing which position is sought and brief reason as to why they would fit the bill to fisherrow hsa2018@gmail.com

All interested people will be invited to an information evening next Monday (February 12), followed by a request for CVs by February 19.