Funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund has helped the UK’s number one pork pie brand launch two new product ranges and expand its North Yorkshire team by 30.
Leeming’s Vale of Mowbray has built a new £4m production line for its new Scotch Egg venture, with the help of a £250,000 investment.
This included £100,000 from NPIF – BEF & FFE Microfinance and £150,000 invested directly by BEF.
The new production line can produce up to 500 eggs per minute and has created 30 local jobs.
Read more: More than a million pies every week - and now scotch eggs
They are already being sold in supermarket chain Morrison’s and Vale of Mowbray has also introduced its own label eggs to the market, as well as a new range of premium pies.
“We want to drive some much-needed quality into the Scotch Eggs category,” says Vale of Mowbray MD Mark Gatenby. “This is a real step-change for the market, and we are proud to be able to drive innovation and growth.”
Vale of Mowbray is an award-winning pie maker based in North Yorkshire, that first opened its doors in 1795 as the Vale of Mowbray Brewery. The company started baking pies in 1928 and was bought by current owners, the Gatenby family in 1995.
Lee Vickers, Investment Manager at BEF commented: “Our investment will help this family owned business grow their product range and profits at a time when many businesses in their sector continue to struggle.”
Simon Jackson, Head of Lending, BEF says: “Our whole ethos is about supporting northern businesses as they grow and we know the struggles food manufacturers have faced over the last two years.
“So it was fantastic to be involved with such a legendary local company and help them expand and diversify.”
Sean Hutchinson at the British Business Bank said: “It’s fantastic to see how funding from NPIF will accelerate Vale of Mowbray’s continued expansion, from its Yorkshire home.
“Microfinance is a useful tool to fill the funding gap for growth for many businesses, and has enabled Vale of Mowbray to purchase new equipment to develop new product lines, which is testament to the benefits of accessing this type of finance.
“We look forward to bringing microfinance opportunities to more businesses and driving forward our goal in building a stronger North.”
David Dickson, Chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Infrastructure and Joint Assets Board, said: “This is a shining example of the good growth that comes from investment into the economy of York and North Yorkshire.
“We’re really pleased to see another business in our area benefit from this support.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union.
It uses funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
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