The first two tenants have moved into the state-of-the-art Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, designed specifically to help boost the region's £7billion a year food and drink economy.
The Flavoured Butter Company and Love Champagne are the first food and drink producers to move into the production units at the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre which is based on Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury.
The Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre is managed by (Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF), the regional food group for the West Midlands, on behalf of owners Shropshire Council with funding from Advantage West Midlands.
The centre is the first of its kind in the West Midlands, housing 12 purpose-built units specifically designed to meet the latest food industry standards and suited to regional start-up and growing food and drink businesses.
The Flavoured Butter Company is owned by Emma Cardwell who has now moved production from Corwen, Denbighshire, to the Food Enterprise Centre. Emma's business has been running for two years.
She sources her butter from Shropshire dairies and then whips it, adds the flavours, and moulds and wraps the butter by hand. She produces eight flavours including red chilli, cracked black pepper and garlic, dill, lemon and caper, and basil, parsley and chive.
Emma said: “The facility is outstanding. I was looking for somewhere bigger and better, and already set up for food production. The units are fantastic for growing businesses. This is the next stage up for me and I decided that if I was going to continue with the business I had to take it up a notch and that’s why I’m here.
“The units are up to a very high standard and are modern, efficient and environmentally-friendly. They exceed all my expectations. For me, the best thing is that they all have walk-in fridges which would have cost me thousands to install myself. I’ve also now got the support of HEFF which is a big bonus.”
Ian Tay owns Love Champagne - an online retailer and distributor of champagne and regional English wines which also provides outside catering and attends events and shows. The business was previously based at the Market Hall in Shrewsbury and in premises on College Hill.
Ian said: “The Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre is a high quality, purpose built facility in a great location and we’re really looking forward to doing business on a business park.
“Moving here means we can conduct all aspects of our business from under one roof and we will also benefit from the solid support management of HEFF. We’re looking forward to building relationships with regional drinks producers and creating different opportunities.”
The food production units are 1,500sq ft and 3,000 sq ft and all include a large production area with a walk-in cold room, wash and hand basins and ducts for extraction and cooling. There is easy in/out access, an office, toilet and changing area, parking spaces and all surfaces inside the production unit meet BRC and EFSIS standards.
The modern units include solar panels for hot water heating and rain water collection and filtering for the toilets. Businesses based there will also benefit from the region's excellent transport links for distributing their products.
Producers moving into the units can take advantage of the Food Enterprise Centre for administrative needs as well as having help and advice on hand from HEFF staff.
Mark Pearce, AWM Corporate Director Economic Regeneration, said: “The food and drink sector is an important part of our regional economy, turning over £7 billion a year and employing 170,000 people. The Agency invested £6 million in this project to nurture new and existing food and drink businesses to overcome barriers to entry in this growth market. This support will give both ventures every opportunity to succeed and we wish them well.”
HEFF Chief Executive Karen Davies said: “We are delighted to welcome Emma and Ian to the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre. Both companies will benefit from a range of services delivered by HEART of ENGLAND fine foods on behalf of Shropshire Council and Advantage West Midlands. Exciting times are ahead and we look forward to supporting the first two tenants and welcoming futher tenants in the coming months.”
Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economy and waste, said: “Our aim is that Shropshire becomes the centre for food and drink enterprise within the region and this magnificent facility is a big step towards achieving this.
“We believe that the centre will be great for Shropshire's economy and should provide an influx of great food and drink businesses into the county. I'm therefore delighted to welcome these two new tenants to the centre, and hope they will be the first of many.”
Anyone looking for more information about the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre and the production units should contact Centre Manager Andrew Wardle on 01743 452810.