The planned venture is expected to cost £5.6M and create at least 80 jobs in the area, Leicester City Council has claimed. It will contain nine high-quality food grade units, varying in size between 92.9m2 and 464.5m2.
These are being set up to encourage the development of up to 35 start-up and small to medium-sized food and drink manufacturers, according to the local authority.
Plans for it to pump an additional £2.2M of funding into the Lewisher Road site’s construction are expected to be cleared on November 12. This would add to the potential £3.4M pot granted under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme.
The news follows hot on the heels of an announcement at the end of September that the creation of an £8.7M food park in Perth, Scotland, was expected to create up to 400 jobs over 10 years.
‘Positive impact’
Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby welcomed the confirmation that the funding had been granted. “This is fantastic news. We know a new food park will have a positive impact on the local jobs market and wider investor confidence.
“Leicestershire already has a strong reputation as a food capital. The creation of the Leicester food park will build on that reputation and help the city become an even better place for food and drink businesses to set up and thrive.”
“This latest award of European cash is further recognition that the major developments we are undertaking across the city will bring very real economic benefits to Leicester and the people who live here.
The park is also expected to generate an additional 20 jobs for those involved in its construction.
The ERDF is one of the funds set up by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs.
For more information on the funding available for food and drink manufacturers under the scheme, click here.
To access the latest exclusive and specialist employment opportunities in the food industry, visit FoodManufacture.co.uk's job website, Foodmanjobs.