Last week, Norfolk Business Board recommended the approval of £240,000 in grant funding from Norfolk County Council towards the construction of the facility, hailed by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) as a “flagship project for the county”.
Cllr Kay Mason Billig, Leader of Norfolk County Council, announced that award at the ceremony on Thursday 12 December and congratulated the RNAA on reaching a project funding milestone.
Located near the entrance to the site which plays host to the Royal Norfolk Show, it will showcase food production and processing in the county and generate sales opportunities for local SME businesses.
The farm shop will stock a wide variety of local products, including butchery, pre-packed meat, fresh produce, delicatessen, frozen items, dairy, sundries, beverages, confectionery, everyday essentials, hampers, and gifts. The restaurant will focus on farm-to-table dining with fresh seasonal produce sourced from local farmers.
It is expected the project will generate 21 job positions and apprenticeship opportunities.
A wider project is planned to implement a 5km nature walk around the showground site, starting and ending at the Norfolk Food Hall. This will further showcase the surrounding landscape and wildlife, whilst also promoting health, wellbeing and exercise.
The RNAA intends to link up with schools and the wider community to continue its established learning programmes, exploring the science and practice of food production.
Cllr Mason Billig said: “The Norfolk Food Hall will showcase the very best of Norfolk produce, raising the profile of more than 100 small producers and shining a deserved light on our agri-food sector. Residents and visitors alike will encounter a facility that will tell a Norfolk story and reinforce the links between nutritious food and health and wellbeing.
“The Norfolk Food Hall will not only increase revenues for the producer network but will also initially create 21 quality jobs; a welcome boost to the local economy. It will also provide skills and training opportunities as well as linking with the food scientists at the Norwich Research Park and showcase the new exciting food businesses which are being incubated at the nearby Broadland Food Innovation Centre.
“Many of the rural counties of the UK have a centre to showcase their food and drink identity and now we will have ours.”
Mark Nicholas, RNAA Managing Director said: “We are thrilled to have received the backing of Norfolk County Council to complete the funding package for this project. The Norfolk Food Hall adds to the importance of Norfolk Showground as a venue for business, social, leisure and cultural activities as well as promoting and supporting food production, farming and countryside in Norfolk”.
Funding to date has included £1m from the RNAA, two loans of £750,000 – one from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership transferred to Norfolk County Council – £550,000 in philanthropic donations, and £90,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Norfolk County Council’s grant funding of £240,000 completes the capital fundraising for the project.