Specialist soft fruit growers identify Lincolnshire as prime location to expand hub of production
Strawberry growers Global Berry have expanded into Greater Lincolnshire following an approach by the Place and Investment Team at Lincolnshire County Council.
Through a targeted LinkedIn campaign to discuss opportunities for investment within our region, which facilitated introductions and relationship building, Global Berry completed their first 3.6Ha glasshouse development for the production of strawberries at Nocton – an investment of £2.6m. This facility has created 30 jobs, three of these being highly skilled roles.
The facility also has hostel accommodation for their workers. The accommodation was larger than the requirements of Global Berry’s workers. LCC was aware of Moy Park who were looking for accommodation for their workers. After an introduction was made Moy Park is now also using the hostel accommodation to support their workforce.
Six years after embarking on its first venture, Global Berry - which supplies six of the UK’s leading supermarkets - is now looking to expand its hub of production in Lincolnshire utilising local supply chains and supplying locally wherever possible.
Karen Seal, Principal Officer for Place & Investment, explained:
“During their Nocton development, Global Berry informed us that they were looking for further investment sites.
“Working hand in hand with the GLLEP, Lincolnshire County Council started a search for other land options and made an introduction to West Lindsey District Council in respect of the Hemswell Central Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ).
“Global Berry are now at pre-planning application stage with full planning being submitted later in the summer for a series of ‘smart’ glasshouses totaling 32Ha where electricity, heat, CO2 and water is delivered via a renewable energy source or through other green renewable initiatives.”
The Central Lincolnshire FEZ will allow growers of all types of fresh food produce an opportunity to make groundbreaking developments for the industry.
John Downes from Global Berry added:
“We are going through an exciting period with opportunities for growing and building the business.
“These opportunities are driven by market growth, and a strong interest from other Growers to partner and collaborate in our journey.”
Global Berry have been collaborating with several of our Team Lincolnshire ambassadors including Polkey Collins, Influence and Hemswell Court, and have recently themselves joined Team Lincolnshire.
To hear more about Global Berry’s investment into Lincolnshire and the Place & Investment team’s support, please take a look at the video below.