The doors have opened on the first part of a new campus dedicated to helping businesses feed the nation.
The first phase of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone has opened in the market town of Holbeach, between Spalding and Kings Lynn.
The new centre – run by a partnership made up of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council and the University of Lincoln – provides business space for new businesses and SMEs including workshops and offices and gives SMEs based access to support services, networking, meeting, and events areas.
It is hoped that new tenants will be able to share ideas and best practice so that they can lead innovation in the region’s important agricultural-tech industry. The food industry is reported to be the fastest growing sector in the UK, employing more people than any other industry.
The first phase of the enterprise zone includes the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), Lincolnshire County Council’s Hub for Agricultural Businesses and The Institute of Technology Digital Food Manufacturing Centre.
The developments represent more than £16 million of investment to support Greater Lincolnshire’s agri-food sector and help position it as the UK Food Valley, a top 10 global centre for international food trade.
Professor Val Braybrooks, Dean of Holbeach Campus and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, said: ‘‘We are delighted for the opportunity to build on the outstanding success of the NCFM.
“We are indebted to our key partners, the hundreds of food manufacturing businesses that continue to support the NCFM, and to the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the Food and Drink Federation who work tirelessly at the regional and national level to influence policy and help the sectors’ cause.”
Professor Neal Juster, vice chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: ‘‘The University is delighted to have worked with our partners to support this major investment in the agri-food sector which will enable Professor Val Braybrooks and her team to build on the outstanding success of the National Centre for Food Manufacturing as a major research and skills hub, helping the sector address its challenges and take advantage of growth opportunities.
“I would also like to thank the many representatives from industry who have supported the NCFM, including Jayne Almond, director of policy and corporate affairs at Food and Drink Federation, Donna-Marie Lee, chief people officer at Bakkavor and Harry Norman, CEO of OAL.”
