Expansion plans have proved sugary sweet for one Northumberland Company with the help of a grant from Arch’s, Northumberland Business Growth Programme.
Sugarfayre and its parent company Culpitt Ltd, based in Ashington are the leading UK wholesale supplier and manufacturer of cake decorating and sugar craft products. Sugarfayre were able to expand their operations, move into an additional unit and invest in new manufacturing equipment with the help of a grant from Arch’s Northumberland Business Growth programme.
Sugarfayre and its parent company Culpitt have had operations in Ashington since 1947 making cake boards, cake cards, sugar fondant sheets for photocake, printed edible cake decorations and moulded sugar cake decorations. These are supplied to a number of major UK supermarkets with additional exports to the United States of America.
They were awarded £397,500 which will aid with their the expansion and move all production into an additional unit at Wansbeck Business Park in Ashington, which will safeguard 75 jobs and create 10 new jobs and allow them to purchase vital equipment to manufacture the sugar paste products in house.
Arch, The Northumberland Development Company, in conjunction with Northumberland County Council was awarded £11.75m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to deliver the programme that provides financial support to businesses across Northumberland to encourage the creation of new sustainable jobs and the safeguarding of existing jobs.
Simon Keogh from Sugarfayre said: “Obtaining a grant towards our investment costs has allowed us to accelerate the development our manufacturing operations in Ashington, ensuring we remain the world leader in our field. This would not have been possible without the grant funding.”
Councillor Dave Ledger, chair of Arch, added: “It is great to see local businesses like Sugarfayre being able to expand and grow thanks to support from the Regional Growth Fund and the team at Arch.”
Peter McIntyre, Arch Group Managing Director said: “The funding available through the growth programme is a great boost to Northumberland’s economy, providing direct financial support for investment by businesses. It offers valuable funds to assist businesses like Sugarfayre Ltd to expand operations and is available to help at all stages of company development, from starting up in Northumberland through to growth of already established local businesses.”