A unique programme that brings university and business together is helping businesses in Boston to thrive, grow, and achieve more.

The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics allows Boston businesses of any size operating in the food and associated supply chain to access free advice and support from the University of Lincoln in an innovative arrangement.  The programme aims to work with businesses to enhance productivity and increase profits, and it can also support workforce development and job creation.  In addition, capital grants with 50% as the match funding required of up to £10,000 are available towards purchases of capital equipment through the programme.  

The programme is having a big impact as Janet Bellamy, Associate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation Operational Management with the University of Lincoln, said: “There are so many creative, capable, successful people running businesses in Boston and through this programme, we have such a great opportunity to work with them, helping them to grow and accelerate their businesses.” 

The support that Janet and her colleagues provide through the Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics depends on the needs of the business. It could be expert advice to enhance productivity or profitability, it could be knowledge sharing, it could be helping with skills development, or it could be access to capital grants. 

“What we do will depend on what the individual business needs. For example, it might be helping to buy equipment or to assist a business to improve their environmental practices. Or it could be simply that the business needs someone to bounce ideas off.  Our support is tailored for each business, and it doesn’t matter what size that business is,” said Janet. 

One business that has benefitted from support is the London Road Bakery, a well-known business in Boston.  Janet has been working with the owner, Jacqui, to support the business to expand, helping to identify development options and create a business plan. 

“It has been great working with Jacqui, she is a very forward-thinking businesswoman. I have been working with her and her brilliant business for some months, and I will continue to be on hand to offer support in the coming months.” 

Janet brings extensive technical expertise and experience to the businesses she supports, with over 32 years' industry experience.  

“I understand the world that the businesses work in. I understand the pressures that they face. Because I have been there myself,” said Janet.  

Similarly, Mark Spurdens, a Senior Lecturer who is also working on the programme for the University of Lincoln, offers in-depth knowledge and experience to the businesses he supports. 

As a food technologist, Mark has previously been a business unit manager, ran his own businesses, and worked internationally in Europe, meaning he is extremely well placed to offer invaluable insight to businesses.  One of the businesses that Mark has been working with is East Lincolnshire Seafoods, which has been operating in Boston for three generations.   

Founded in 1984, the business accessed The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics for help with new equipment. 

Mark said: “The business has been a staple of Boston for many years and got in touch with us for help to buy new equipment through our match funding grant scheme. 

“We were pleased to be able to approve this application quickly and Will who runs East Lincolnshire Seafoods was able to buy the kit they needed, which made a big impact in terms of efficiency. 

“We now have an ongoing relationship with the team at East Lincolnshire Seafoods and have been able to offer other advice, and also connect them with other knowledge that can help them.” 

The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics has been made possible through a partnership of Boston Town Deal, the University of Lincoln, and Boston College.  

It is funded through the Towns Fund and Neil Kempster, Chair of Boston Town Deal said: “The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics was a strategic priority for the Boston Town Deal board because of the importance of the food sector within our area. The programme is connecting Boston businesses with world-class university support, knowledge, and resources in an innovative way.” 

Any business in Boston wanting to find out if they are eligible and how they can benefit through the programme can email dthorpe@lincoln.ac.uk  

Frequently asked questions about the programme can be found here. 

Businesses who have benefitted from the programme include: 

East Lincolnshire Seafoods 

East Lincolnshire Seafoods accessed grant funding through the programme that allowed it to buy crucial equipment. It has also received advice.  

Will Fletcher who runs the business said: “We decided to work with the Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics as buying the equipment we needed would have been a very costly job for us to fund ourselves. The funding has helped us massively to get our equipment back up and running in good order. I would recommend any business wanting support to contact Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics as we have found them very useful and helpful.” 

London Road Bakery 

London Road Bakery has received support to consider development options and create a business plan for expansion.  

Owner Jacqui Dales said: “I've really appreciated the support and guidance that I've received from Janet, Mark and the team at Boston College so far. Their experience in and knowledge of the food industry has been key in the decision to expand our business. We are still at the beginning of a journey to develop a new property but is reassuring to have their expertise to call upon.” 

The Greenhouse 

The Greenhouse is owned and run by Dan Revell-Wiseman and Lee Revell-Wiseman and was one of the first businesses to join The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics. 

The Greenhouse needed to buy some items of kitchen equipment and by joining the programme and taking up the capital grant option they have been able to afford the equipment much sooner that would have been possible without the support. 

Dan Revell-Wiseman said: “Joining this programme has enabled us to work towards our aspirations to grow the business. We aim to recruit more staff and provide them with barista training that can be delivered by Boston College and paid for by the programme.” 

Alpego UK 

Alpego UK are agricultural machinery suppliers based on the Fen Road Industrial Estate and have received support from the programme.  

Sales Director Mark Dolby said: “This opportunity came at an ideal time for our business. We had a need for some technical support to broaden our customer base and focus on new markets. We will also be taking up the capital grant option to purchase equipment that will enable us to substantially improve our efficiency and customer care in the after sales service and repair side of the business. We have also recently taken on some new staff so the funded training will be of benefit for enhancing their knowledge and qualifications.”