Company on the move thanks to grant funding

August 15, 2022

A Leominster business has moved to new, more suitable premises after receiving funding from the Marches Building Investment Grant – which is supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and its business support arm the Marches Growth Hub.

Danfords (Construction Equipment) Ltd, formerly based at Marlbrook Park, Leominster, supply concrete equipment, along with spare parts and service.

Due to continued growth, Danfords reached capacity at its existing premises, restricting any further growth, so made the decision to apply for funding to help to move to a new, purpose-built site.

Using £150,000 awarded from the Marches Building Investment Grant the company has now built a new workshop and office premises, along with outside working, storage and parking space areas, at 14A, Leominster Enterprise Park.

The new premises will enable the company to meet current demand with room for expansion and become more efficient. Based at their new location, Danfords plan to introduce another product range and undertake more service work and stocking of spare parts and equipment.

The relocation work is projected to create a total of eight jobs, four of which are already being recruited for.

Dan and Alex Fordham, owners of Danfords, said: “We would like to thank Herefordshire Council for the grant which has helped us considerably with our development and therefore create more jobs as we expand. We would also like to thank Herefordshire Council’s MBIP Programme Manager for her guidance throughout the grant process.”

Cllr Ellie Chowns, cabinet member for environment and economy, said: “Thanks to £150k of funding, Danfords have been able to expand and create new jobs, which is great news for the local economy of Leominster and the county as a whole.”

The Marches Building Investment Grant scheme is now closed but there is a range of funding and grant options still available. Businesses can find out more through the   Marches Growth Hub support finder at https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/support/

Cllr Chowns added: “It is a challenging time for local residents and businesses, following the pandemic and with a spiral in the cost of living. The good news is that the council and Marches Growth Hub are here to help, so if you are a local business looking for advice or funding to encourage growth, efficiency, or sustainability, I would urge you to find out more about the support that is available.”

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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