St Ewe Free Range Eggs begun developing a site for a new packing centre which will see a significant expansion for the company.
The new site, formerly a county council-owned farm is close to the company’s existing packing centre near Tregony in Cornwall.
St Ewe said the new facility is needed as the company has continued to expand beyond what can be accommodated at its home-farm, with the St Ewe brand now supplying national retailers and breaking into international markets, exporting to Dubai and Hong Kong.
The business has been supported in its expansion by Cornwall Council, the Cornwall Development Company and grant investment from Defra.
Tim Dwelly, the council’s portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning, said: “This is a fantastic example of the council supporting and guiding a local business to help it take a big step forward.
“The work done here across different departments and in partnership with other organisations will make sure that many people benefit, both directly and along the supply chain, leading to the creation of jobs and prosperity.”
St Ewe works with producer farms in Cornwall, across the South West and Wales, and has enjoyed huge growth in recent years. In order to secure the new facility at Grampound Road, the company applied to Defra for a grant under its EAFRD Growth Programme towards the capital costs.
Chief executive Bex Tonks, said: “We have been hugely grateful for the support of so many in helping us obtain the EAFRD grant, Johnny Alford and his team for the purchase of the land at Resparveth Farm and Martin Woodley and Cllr Bob Egerton with our planning application and subsequent planning development, which was all submitted and approved in the space of two months.
“All of this was achieved during lockdown, which has been quite extraordinary, and we are so thankful to Cornwall Council for believing in and helping our vision for not only the business, but for the local community, come to fruition.”