Around 40 business representatives came together for the ‘Fenland - Develop, Succeed and Inspire’ event and discovered the help on offer for them in the district.

Attendees heard from three local firms who have accessed grant funding after making connections with Growth Works and Fenland District Council’s Fenland for Business.

Both organisations provide free advice and support to businesses to help them to grow, including by providing help around accessing grants and investment and skills.

Cllr Ian Benney, portfolio holder for economic growth, said: “It’s great to see this event was so well attended.

“We’re keen for as many businesses as possible to know about the support available to them in Fenland and to make most use of it.

“This investment into the economic growth of the district serves the whole community through increased prosperity and employment opportunities.”

Three businesses supported by Fenland for Business and Growth Works

Turmeric Company

Rechi Kanu, co-founder and product design director, at The Turmeric Company, spoke about the firm’s move to Chatteris where it established a headquarters including research and development laboratory, production and packing facilities last year.

It has been supported by Growth Works and Fenland For Business with access to grant funding, recruitment and business support.

Agrimech

Belinda Smith, finance director of Agrimech, a leading UK manufacturer of end of line weighing, bagging, placing and palletising systems, said grant funding had helped enable a move to larger premises in Manea.

That allowed the firm to begin fulfilling orders it had previously had to turn down.

Belinda said: “The teams at Fenland for Business and Growth Works have been invaluable to our business, introducing us to a business support network within Fenland and nationally, including contacts and information that we would never have found without their help and support.

“Our ongoing relationship with the teams ensures that we are made aware of and can take advantage of new opportunities that become available to businesses that we would often never have otherwise heard about.

“It’s a fantastic service for Fenland and I would encourage businesses to get in touch.”

Avant Manufacturing

Avant Manufacturing, based in Fenland District Council units in Wisbech, is a precision manufacturing company for the pharmaceutical and scientific industries.

Dominic Roach, founder and director said the company started in 2021 and since receiving grant funding its turnover had increased by 35% and customer numbers increased.

Avant Manufacturing has plans to introduce automated manufacturing to its offering.

Dominic said: “I was massively impressed with the depth of Growth Works offering and their agility to help businesses in all sectors and sizes.

“I would strongly encourage any business get in contact with them, as they will be able to assist your growth.

“The support from Growth Works has taken the business to a new level – we are now working in new sectors had a large uplift in turnover and now have the confidence to standardise the business so it can be scaled to the next level.

“When the time is right I look forward to making use of the skills portal to find new staff.”

The Develop, Succeed and Inspire event was hosted by Growth Works and Fenland for Business at The Boathouse Business Centre, Wisbech.

Similar events will be held in the future.

· Discover more about support for business in Fenland at: www.fenlandforbusiness.co.uk and www.growthworks.uk

· Fenland District Council provides business centres and factory units with flexible lease arrangements and competitive rent. See: www.fenland.gov.uk/businesspremises