Centre
Delivered by Broadland District Council
13 BREEAM excellent-rated food-grade units (150m2 to 614.5m2)
2 test kitchens full of prep and cooking equipment
1 sensory tasting kitchen
Meeting rooms and conferencing space
Support
Delivered by Hethel Innovation
12 hours of bespoke 1-to-1 support
Access industry insight and consumer trends relevant to your sector
Utilise technical specialists through a unique Food & Drink DPS
Allocate time to spend using test and sensory kitchens
Cluster
Coordinated by University of East Anglia
Connect with industry and researchers
Attend specialist events and workshops to accelerate innovation
Network with businesses to build and strengthen your supply chain
Access certified training including food hygiene
About the Broadland Food Innovation Centre
The Broadland Food Innovation Centre is being built to help generate economic opportunity and success for the food and drink sector in Norfolk and Suffolk. It is under construction on the Food Enterprise Park off the A47 near Norwich and will open in Autumn 2022. Eligible businesses can also benefit from fully-funded Innovation Support and the Innovation Cluster, which is available during the 12 months preceding the opening of the Centre.
This project is supported by New Anglia LEP, which has contributed £4.14m – £2.7m from the HM Government Getting Building Fund and £1.44m from the New Anglia LEP Growing Places Fund. The balance of funds come from Broadland District Council, the University of East Anglia and Hethel Innovation.
Jordan Sharman
ERDF Project Manager
Jordan’s role of project manager oversees the delivery of the Innovation Support and Innovation Cluster, ensuring that the needs and challenges of the region’s Food & Drink sector are met. Having previously worked in manufacturing, and as an advisor in a previous ERDF project, Jordan is looking forward to working with suppliers to contribute to the DPS platform. Get in touch if you are interested in providing funded consultancy work to Food & Drink businesses in the region.
Nick Smith
ERDF Food Business Advisor
Nick provides advice and guidance through the Innovation Support programme, ensuring that eligible businesses gain an insightful, supportive and innovative experience on the Broadland Food Innovation Centre project. With over 20 years of experience within the Food & Drink sector, Nick is relishing the opportunity to work with a region full of innovative and exciting businesses. Get in touch if you are an SME in the Food & Drink sector seeking support.