A popcorn and candyfloss manufacturer is expanding its workforce after receiving grant funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
Tommy Tucker Ltd, which has premises in Shireoaks and Retford, has employed 11 full-time staff as a result of the expansion and that could rise to 15 by the end of March.
The Nottinghamshire company produces popcorn, candyfloss and confectionary and is a leading supplier to the cinema and leisure market across the country.
New machinery has been brought in to increase capacity and allow the company to produce new products and move into different markets and it expects to see up to 30% growth in the business during the next five years.
It has been successful in applying for a grant from D2N2’s Unlocking Investment for Growth programme (UI4G), which is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, and the £62,500 received will go towards the £317,500+ project at its Shireoaks site.
Prior to the expansion and creation of new jobs, Tommy Tucker had a workforce of 50.
Simon Stanham, Financial Director of Tommy Tucker, said: “The Manufacturing Advisory Service pointed us in the direction of the UI4G funding and it has made the difference between us deciding to go ahead with this project.
“As a result, we can produce new products and move into different markets and it is an entire plant expansion.
“The machinery brought in is the main element to this project and without getting the capital support from D2N2, we would not have been able to press ahead at this point.
“The grant has allowed us to expand and create new jobs, which is great news for us as a business and the local area.”
With further UI4G applications going through due diligence, the schemes coming to fruition across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire sees D2N2 already working with grant offers to applicants totalling £1.9 million to help create 178 long-term jobs and pave the way for many more.
EMB Ltd, who manage the programme on behalf of D2N2, has a pipeline of enquiries and would welcome further expressions of interest for capital investment projects that will create long-term sustainable jobs.
D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph said: “Tommy Tucker is a business that was looking to bridge that funding gap to make a project happen and as a result of our Unlocking Investment for Growth programme, I am delighted it has been able to realise its expansion plans.
“This new machinery will open many doors for this forward-thinking business and not only create sustainable full-time jobs now, but potentially lead to further growth in employee numbers in the coming years, which is great to hear.
“I would urge other firms in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area to look into UI4G and see if it can benefit their business. It you fit the criteria, it could play a big part in any plans to grow and create jobs.”
This £5m UI4G programme continues to be open to new applications and has recently been bolstered by a further injection of capital support from the European Regional Development Fund.
The programme will provide a grant in support of capital investment projects with a minimum overall project value of £200,000. In exceptional circumstances up to £500,000 of grant funding is available for projects that can demonstrate real potential to create new jobs.
For more information go to www.d2n2lep.org/UI4G, email UI4G@embltd.co.uk or call 01332 826366.
