When Troy Linton founded Coastal Health, he set out to make supplement manufacturing simple and ethical for growing brands. Today, the company is thriving thanks in part to the support of the Broadland Food Innovation Centre (BFIC) where Troy chose to base his business in 2023.
A Strategic Move
Operating from two units at BFIC, Coastal Health gained immediate credibility. The Centre’s collaborative environment and access to industry peers helped the business secure major contracts—including one with a leading healthcare brand.
“It’s been absolutely amazing. From day one, it’s given us credibility. When customers visit, they immediately see the scale of our mission, and it helps them understand where we’re headed,” says Troy.
Growth in Motion
With new contracts came investment in advanced machinery, such as the new automatic encapsulation system, boosting production and securing confidence in product. Coastal Health currently employs 16 people and plans to expand into its own, much larger site in Norfolk within two years. This confirms the vision for the Centre, as a staging post. Small businesses move in, they grow, then move on to bigger sites, leaving a space for another small business to do the same.
Cllr Adrian Booth of Broadland District Council said “ … we are committed to supporting small businesses, which are a critical part of our local economy. So it was fascinating to meet Troy and learn about this highly technical form of food production. His achievements prove the value of the Centre.”
Rooted in Norfolk
Troy sees East Anglia as the UK’s food capital. Coastal Health sources locally, supports sustainability, and contributes to the regional economy—aligning perfectly with Norfolk’s food and farming heritage. Troy is clear about why East Anglia matters:
“I see Norfolk as the food capital of the UK. It’s not just about supplements—it’s about being part of a region that’s known for food and farming. It fits us perfectly.”
The Bigger Picture
Coastal Health is proof that with the right infrastructure, SMEs can scale responsibly and stay local. For BFIC, it’s a win for innovation, community, and economic growth.
Geoff, the Centre Manager, has a message for any small food or drink business looking at their next step – “if you’re thinking of making a move – here you can try it out as a Virtual Tenant with all the benefits while keeping overheads minimal. When you’re ready, like Troy you can take a unit and take your business to whole new level. What happens then, could be everything you’ve ever imagined.”
Image description: Troy Linton (right) with Cllr Adrian Tipple of Broadland District Council, which created and owns the Broadland Food Innovation Centre.
