The Food Enterprise Zone will make a positive difference to Holbeach says South Holland District Council leader

An agri-food hub will make a ‘real and positive’ difference to the future of a town, says a council leader.

Holbeach Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) is one of a series of projects which have been earmarked for a share of a £20million Lincolnshire County Council investment plan over the next five years to help create well-paid jobs.

The FEZ - which brings together agri-food companies and the University of Lincoln on a ‘science park’ estate - is already already attracting new companies to the company but it is hoped to unlock further phases of the development thanks to the county council’s plans of adding a service road.

The plans - which will be decided by the county authority’s executive in December - also include monitoring developments and future opportunities at Wardentree Lane in Pinchbeck, Spalding Gateway project and Port Sutton Bridge.

News of the proposals has been welcomed by South Holland District Council leader, Nick Worth.

He said: “We’re pleased to see Lincolnshire County Council’s proposals for planned investment in several key South Holland projects over the coming years, that will help support and grow the strong and diverse position the district’s economy is already in.

“There is a great amount of business interest in moving into areas like Wardentree Lane, Spalding Gateway and the Food Enterprise Zone, alongside working with the Port of Sutton Bridge to support their future growth.

“Unlocking new service roads at the FEZ, alongside the existing Local Development Order that supports investors with a simplified planning application process, is a welcome move that will only help to attract more innovative investors and businesses to join the site.

“In a short space of time we have already secured 11 agriculture and food-related businesses into the site, located alongside the leading research activities of the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing.

“The FEZ is not an overnight project, but I’m confident that it will continue to grow and make a real, positive difference to Holbeach and the surrounding area.

“They are doing more and more good work with businesses and community groups in the town, coupled with attracting new businesses to the area and managing further enquiries from those seeking to move on to the site.”

Along with the University of Lincoln buildings, the FEZ also boasts The Hub building - which boasts office space and other facilities.

A recent district council report shows that The Hub, which opened last year, is currently at 65% occupancy hosts nine creative manufacturing and professional services businesses.

AJS Ltd employs around 70 people after opening its headquarters at the FEZ earlier this year while Strilin Developments is looking to create medium industrial and office at the site.

It is hoped to start work on the second phase of the FEZ next year.

The Spalding Gateway Project, which is an 80 hectare site around Clay Lakes, is hoped to attract companies involved in the supply chain of the agri-food industry.

The new owners of Port Sutton Bridge are also reported to be looking at growth and development.

‘We can unlock the potential of the area’

Investing in the infrastructure at a food hub will unlock its potential to attract new businesses into the district, says the county finance chief.

Holbeach’s Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) is earmarked to get a new service road as part of Lincolnshire County Council’s £20million investment plans over the next five years.

The FEZ, which stands on the outskirts of the town, brings together academics from the University of Lincoln and agri-food companies on a science park estate - and this development is seen as being key to the development of the local economy by creating high skill jobs.

The county’s executive councillor for the economy, Coun Colin Davie, is pleased with the site’s success so far which includes most of the office space The Hub, which is run by the authority, being let.

He said: “We’re investing in the next phase of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone with new infrastructure that will make the site much more attractive for future investors and occupiers. We’ve also worked collaboratively with partners to mitigate some of the risks for agri-tech businesses so they can concentrate on their core activities from day one.

“The result is that we continue to see interest in the land available at the SLFEZ and we expect business confidence to strengthen in the new year. Occupier interest for office space at The Hub has been strong throughout 2024 and by the end of the year we expect around 60% of the office space to be let.”

South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth has welcomed the county council’s funding and says it will make a positive difference to Holbeach.

The FEZ development has brought together the University of Lincoln, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council.