“It is fantastic working with businesses in Boston so that they can be the best that they can be.”
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.
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.
Janet BellamyAssociate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation Operational Management with the University of Lincoln
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 help 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.
Janet BellamyAssociate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation Operational Management with the University of Lincoln
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 BellamyAssociate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation Operational Management with the University of Lincoln
Janet brings extensive technical expertise and experience to the businesses she supports, with over 32 years of industry experience, including 24 years with Geest.
I understand the world that the businesses work in. I understand the pressures that they face. Because I have been there myself.
Janet BellamyAssociate Professor in Food Robotics and Process Automation Operational Management with the University of Lincoln
Programme Manager David Thorpe speaking at a business breakfast about the programme.
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, run businesses, and worked internationally in Europe, meaning he is extremely well placed to offer invaluable insight to businesses.
And one of those 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.
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.
Mark SpurdensSenior Lecturer Food Manufacturing
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.
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.
It really is a unique opportunity that is being offered to Boston businesses to develop, grow and thrive and maximise their potential.
The project can make a massive difference to a large section of the local economy and I hope that as many businesses recognise this and engage with the project to take advantage of this unique opportunity being offered via the Town Deal funding.
Neil KempsterChair of Boston Town Deal
The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics is unique in the extent of the specialist Agri-food expertise it affords businesses and in its fostering of collaboration between us as the local University and the business community on our door-step, to serve the continued strengthening of the areas Agri-food economy.
Professor Val BraybrooksUniversity of Lincoln
Boston College works with the programme to develop and deliver training solutions to businesses.
Our role as colleges is to address skills shortages, supporting businesses to be more productive and to prepare for the future. This project is a fantastic route to help us identify the training that employers really need for their staff in the critical sectors of food and logistics.
Claire FosterCEO and Principal of Boston College
I have been delighted to learn that the centre is making a great impact with local businesses in our area.
This Town Deal project is extremely important as it helps to play a role in increasing skills and knowledge, creating employment, and supporting the economy of our town.
I would encourage more businesses to follow in the footsteps of those that have already taken up the opportunity to access the support and training that can make a real and significant impact to them.
Cllr Anne DorrianLeader of Boston Borough Council
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: https://bit.ly/3OOTPiu
Case studies
East Lincolnshire Seafoods accessed grant funding through the programme that allowed it to buy crucial equipment. It has also received advice. 
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.
The support from Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics has made a difference to our business by making our equipment more cost effective to run, bringing it all back up to date and in good working order making it much more reliable.
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.
Will FletcherEast Lincolnshire Seafoods
London Road Bakery has received support to consider development options and create a business plan for expansion.
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.
Jacqui DalesLondon Road Bakery
‘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 than would have been possible without the support.
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.
Dan Revell-WisemanThe Greenhouse
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.
Mark DolbySales Director