Growth scheme invests £1.3m into Tees business

Tees Valley Business Compass, which is led by Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) has approved funding for 10 local projects. Tees Valley Business Compass secured £2.4m to deliver the Business Growth Investment Scheme which offers between £25,000 and £1,000,000 of grant support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to invest in their business to achieve sustainable growth.

Hartlepool-based Camerons Brewery is one of the businesses set to benefit from the £2.4m funding pot, after securing almost £150,000.

The money will enable Camerons to invest in a modern bottling facility which will open the brewery up to new markets as well as creating 12 full-time jobs and safeguarding a further three jobs by 2016.

Set up in 1865 as a traditional family brewer, Camerons has gone on to establish itself as one of the UK’s leading contract brewers as well as an owner and operator of more than 70 pubs in the North East. It also produces its own brand beers which are sold throughout the country.

Chris Soley, Director and General Manager at Camerons, said: “Without the grant assistance through the Business Growth Investment Scheme, we would have been unable to finance the project and lost out on the opportunity to grow the business and help secure the long term future of the brewery.

“Camerons Brewery is now the only remaining major independent family brewer in the North East and, as it approaches its 150th anniversary, the addition of a bottling capability will allow the business to adapt to changing consumer trends and help cement the site’s future long term prosperity.

“As a result of the grant funding, we are able to install a beer bottling line capable of packaging up to 10,000 bottles per hour. The investment adds a further vital dimension to our UK renowned contract brewing services.”

The facility will allow Camerons to tap into the growing take home market sector for both UK and export sales, as well as assisting with new product development and growth in contract lager brewing and bottling.

The scheme can be used to improve or expand premises, invest in research and development or to invest in new plant, equipment and machinery. Alternatively the grant could help cover the cost of new staff whose jobs have been created as a result of a capital funded project. Whilst safeguarding existing jobs will be taken into account, companies must be creating new permanent jobs in order to qualify for a grant.

Stephen Catchpole, Managing Director of TVU, said: “Growth, sustainability and job creation are at the core of what this scheme is about and it’s encouraging to see how the funding has assisted Camerons Brewery in investing in a project which looks set to secure a long and fruitful future here in the Tees Valley.

“I would encourage any other local businesses in key sectors such as engineering, advanced manufacturing, digital and creative industries, chemicals and process technology to get in touch to find out how the Business Growth Investment Scheme could help your business achieve its full potential.”

Businesses across the five Tees Valley local authority areas, Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees, are eligible to apply.

Hartlepool Borough Council is a partner in Tees Valley Business Compass. Councillor Kevin Cranney, Vice-Chair of the Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “Camerons Brewery has a long and proud tradition in Hartlepool for brewing going back almost 150 years and we are delighted to support their application for funding. This will enable them to expand into new markets, grow the business and create extra jobs which is excellent news.”

The funding was secured from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University, who are leading the creation of 15 new growth hubs across the UK. The funds support eligible projects and programmes that are also raising private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment.

For further information and to find out if your business is eligible please visit http://www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk