Issue - meetings

The Director, Planning, Transport and Economic Development, will provide an update on the proposed Leicester Food Park.

Mike Dalzell, Head of Economic Regeneration, presented a report that provided the Scrutiny Commission with a progress update on the proposed Leicester Food Park at Lewisher Road, a site owned by Leicester City Council zoned for employment use.

Mike informed the meeting that the total costs to deliver Leicester Food Park were £5,644,000, with the City Council allocating £2,200,000 towards the project subject to approval. He said that a bid for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the remaining balance was under appraisal. If ERDF was granted, the Food Park would be built in mid-2104.

He said a Demand Study was undertaken which showed strong interest in the project from food and drink manufacturers. It was identified that a lot of start-up food premises were not fit for purpose, and there were constraints for growth, and the purpose of the project was to build food-standard premises. Mike said further consultation would be undertaken with food businesses in May 2013.

Mike said all monies would be spent on Capital build, and then the premises would be let through a management company who would run the site. He referred also to a separate ERDF funded business support project, now being delivered in the city which, amongst other things would help identify and support potential tenants for the new facility. Mike noted that the Food & Drink forum managed a similar and successful food workspace in Nottingham on behalf of Nottingham city council.

Councillor Cassidy said there were a lot of food companies in that part of the city who exported, and a business support strategy was required, as it was important they supported the new businesses. Mike confirmed that support for exporting would be part of a business support offer. Councillor Cassidy asked if the plan proposed was similar to the Everards Brewery site. Mike responded the Everards scheme was intended to accommodate much bigger footprint businesses and therefore would not compete with the Lewisher Rd offer. It was also designed to include elements of retail and a tourism offer which were also quite different. He added the key incentive for businesses to move to the premises would be the food-grade specification of the premises rather than a financial inducement as the premises had to be offered at market rent. Mike confirmed the premises would be used for food production only and not retail sales.

The Chair responded it was good to know there was demand for the premises, and thanked Mike for the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    that the report be noted.