Food technology hub set for launch

Building work has started on the new Food Technology Centre in the north west of England.

Based in Cumbria, the £1.5 million centre will provide commercial kitchen units for local food and drink businesses, as well as packing areas and a distribution hub.

The Food Technology Centre will give growing businesses the opportunity to expand into new facilities

Bob Clark

Chief executive

CREA

The project is funded by the Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) and North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

CREA chief executive Bob Clark commented: "The Food Technology Centre will give growing businesses the opportunity to expand into new facilities, to share costs with others and to make the most of a prime location for distribution across Cumbria and beyond.

The centre is due for completion in March 2008 and will help facilitate the ongoing growth of the region’s food and drink sector.

Peter White, executive director of development at NWDA, explained: "Development of the food and drink sector through the Food Technology Centre will help drive forward Cumbria’s economy and strengthen the position of local producers.