Four growing rural businesses based in Norfolk and Suffolk are set to benefit from funding from the first tranche of a £9m European funding,managed by Norfolk County Councils’ Rural Programmes Team. More than £147,000 has been awarded via the LEADER programme by Local Action Groups (LAGs).
The four businesses to benefit are:
Flint Vineyard receives a grant of £42,500 from the Waveney Valley Local Action Group. The applicant is planting a new 2.5-hectare vineyard and Leader funding will help equip a state-of-the-art winery at Camphill Farm, Earsham. The project also includes a new visitor centre and a state-of-the-art winery with specialist equipment to enable the best handling of juice and wine.
Panther Brewery at Reepham has generateda new alcohol free real ale called HOPSTA, which is believed to be the first in the UK. The project was awarded £26,296 by Wensum & Coast Local Action Group to introduce a new bottling line to automate the bottling and labelling facility. When not working at full capacity, the facility will be offered to other breweries who may wish to contract their bottling to the only ‘real ale’ bottling facility available in the county.
New company Squilla and Squidge, based in Swanton Morley received a grant of £10,245 through the Wensum & Coast Local Action Group, to turn a 1969 VW Adventure Wagon into a high quality artisan food wagon. After a full mechanical refurbishment, the wagon will be fitted with a serving hatch and a kitchen. The business will offer a healthy and flavourful menu of falafel and halloumi wraps, salad pots, sweet potato fries and a ‘Norfolk Berry Smoothy’ to be inclusive for the gluten free and vegetarian market and encourage people to eat more healthy food.
Lakenheath based Sunset Barn Care Farm has received a grant of £68,190 through the Brecks Local Action Group to increase the number of people who can benefit from their service. Specifically this grant will fund a purpose built building to create additional facilities for Farm Helpers, Volunteers and Staff at the Care Farm. This will provide additional seating, private break out areas, washing and toilet facilities, additional bedroom space, a large work area and food preparation facilities with additional cooking capacity.
Each LAG operates by using the Leader approach, which is community led local development, made up of representatives from businesses, community organisations and public authorities. Decentralising the decision and funding powers allows the partnership to support the rural economy, at a local level, by helping micro and small businesses to create and sustain employment within the area.
The five respective LAG areas managed by the Rural Programmes Team are:
The Brecks (including parts of northern Suffolk) The Broads Wensum and Coast Waveney Valley (including parts of northern Suffolk) West Norfolk
Information on each LAG and how to apply for funding can be found at: www.norfolklags.co.uk.