Giant advent calendar showcases food firm’s growth

11-Dec-2014 - Last updated on 15-Dec-2014 at 14:22 GMT

Jason Potter, general manager of Besmoke with the giant Advent calendar

A giant advent calendar arrived in Brighton today (December 11) to showcase food ingredients firm Besmoke as one of 24 business that have benefited from government support over the past year.

The Business is GREAT campaign features 24 diverse and innovative small business and is run by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The calendar will visit the home of a new business each day between December 1 and 24 to unveil their story of growth and their route to success. It aims to let other firms know about the advice and support available to them.

Huw Griffiths, md at Besmoke, said he was very proud the business was included in the calendar.

Reducing levels of carcinogens

“We were delighted to receive funding from Innovate UK to research and develop a new smoke technology which will lead to the creation of the next generation of natural smoke delivery systems, significantly reducing the levels of carcinogens in smoke flavour systems,” he said.

“Here we join 23 other businesses across the country highlighting the organisations and people doing great things for small businesses, and the government support that has made some of it possible.”

Business minister Matthew Hancock said the campaign would spread the word about the great work being done by more than five million small businesses in the UK.

“We want Britain to be the best place in the world to start and grow, and Besmoke is a shining example of why we’re backing small businesses every step of the way,” he said.

Meanwhile, Devon-based Westaways Sausages will be unveiled behind door number 12 tomorrow (December 12).

To find out more about the businesses involved or support available, and to follow the small business advent countdown every day, click here.