There is exciting news for food job hunters in Norfolk this week, as plans are revealed for a brand new, multi-million pound 'food hub'. It is set to be built on a site between Easton and Honingham Thorpe near Norwich, and is expected to not only create hundreds of new food jobs, but also to add further value to the burgeoning food and drink industry in the region.
It is approximated that the food and drink sector contributes nearly £2.5 billion to the East of England, as well as boosting the employment market with the addition of over 90,000 food jobs. Due to these figures, a council led partnership headed by developer Ian Alston, who first saw the potential for a new food hub in Norfolk back in 2006, have sensed an opportunity to grow the industry even further.
The 'Norfolk food hub' is an exciting new project, aiming to promote and support locally produced farmers and products, instead of importing so much produce in from abroad. The hub, if plans go ahead, will contain the following:
• Livestock market
• Distribution centre to supply local and regional markets and supermarkets
• Market
• Shop
• Norfolk themed restaurant
• Premises for vets, agricultural machinery dealers and supply companies
• Plant centre
Although the new centre will almost certainly boost the food and drink sector in Norfolk, as well as creating more than 1,500 new food jobs, there has still been some opposition from local residents. However, this has mainly been because of the proposed site, which many believe would spoil the natural landscape, as well as being on a busy road entirely unsuitable for local shoppers. A planning application has been submitted, but will only be granted after all aspects of managing the site have been considered by South Norfolk District Council.
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