The attractive new building on the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone is being developed in a way that encourages and promotes collaboration and innovation, while being specifically designed to offer flexibility for small or start-up businesses within agri-food and tech, with the aim of supporting them to succeed.

Start-up businesses and SMEs in the agri-food tech sector can use this space as a hub for creativity and innovation and to develop and explore new and exciting processes and ways of working in the sector, by working with the food chain from end to end.

The South Lincolnshire FEZ sits at the heart of the UK’s leading advanced manufacturing cluster for the food sector, and adjacent to the agricultural, food processing and logistics cluster. As The Hub is at the heart of the FEZ, it is ideally located to support and nurture the development and advancement of technology in these sectors.

The connections and support provided by local government and the University of Lincoln will ensure The Hub is the centre for industry to access the latest technology, skills, and services.  Working end to end and across the entire food chain, and focusing on technologies, means The Hub can establish assistance to early-stage food companies alongside technology suppliers to encourage faster growth while maintaining the benefits of being clustered on site, along with options to expand.

The University of Lincoln is a key partner in the South Lincolnshire FEZ, with the Agri-Food Centre of Excellence and Institute of Technology located nearby. Synergies are therefore made between academia and businesses situated in The Hub across innovation, R&D, knowledge sharing and skill enhancement. The University of Lincoln is an established and leading food sector innovator, with cutting edge technology and equipment and outstanding specialist facilities, with food factory space and cutting-edge automation.

The industry has highlighted a need to focus more quickly on food chain automation and digitalisation to deliver productivity gains, address labour issues, and incorporate logistics and warehousing technology, as well as food analysis, marketing, and new product development. And running in parallel with this is the growing pressure and agenda to decarbonise the food chain and packaging process at pace.

Office space can be tailored to suit needs, with offices and workshops available on flexible lease terms and inclusive rents. The site includes onsite parking, including EV charging, provision for a café, a fully managed reception and services including postal and telecoms.

The building is due to open in spring or summer this year. To find out more about the South Lincolnshire FEZ click here.