About
Broadland Food Innovation Centre commenced as a partnership project, driven by Broadland District Council.
The objective was to leverage food and drink sector opportunities within the regional economy, and the Centre’s purpose is to help secure the commercial futures of food and drink concepts.
Today, Broadland District Council owns the Centre, and the Hethel Innovation Centre team manage and operate the facility.
The organisations behind the Broadland Food Innovation Centre
The Centre, Support and Cluster offered by the Broadland Food Innovation Centre project, has been welcomed by the region’s food and drink businesses since its launch in 2022.
In the ERDF phase of the project between 2022 and 2023, funded support and facilities were available to the food and drink community in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Following the conclusion of the ERDF phase of the project in 2023, Broadland District Council ensures the continuity of the expert Innovation Support services, which are being delivered by Hethel Innovation until 2026.
Furthermore, Hethel Innovation continues to manage the bespoke food-grade facilities at the Centre.
The University of East Anglia continues to build on its work to date, developing and expanding the Food and Drink Cluster, rebranded as the Tastebuds Collective in 2024, with support and funding from Broadland District Council.
Broadland District Council, jointly with New Anglia LEP, funded the Innovation Support and the Food Advisor role through income generated by the Centre. A Shared Prosperity Fund grant from the UK Government funded the relaunch of the cluster. The intention is to build on the valuable work achieved to date, accelerating business growth and adding value to the local economy through food processing and drink production.
Funding for the original project
The Broadland Food Innovation Centre project received £5.7 m of funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.
This ERDF project stage was supported by New Anglia LEP, which has contributed £4.14m, including £2.7m from the HM Government Getting Building Fund. The balance of funds come from Broadland District Council, UEA and Hethel Innovation.
For further information please contact the Economic Growth Team at Broadland District Council.
