Schemes in north Leicestershire and neighbouring Rutland have secured £23 million of Government Levelling Up cash.
Some £12 million of support for the county town of Melton – home of the pork pie – will support the development of food production units and events space at the Stockyard in the town’s Cattle Market.
The money will also see investment in the town’s theatre and will be added to £2 million from Melton Borough Council, Gilstream Markets– which took over the operation of the market in 2016 – and SMB College. The combined investment will create 183 jobs in the borough.
The new Stockyard hub will provide an area for food production, education and support services for small or upcoming producers, as well as offering networking opportunities for local producers and a café.
Dilapidated buildings and sheds will be converted into smaller food production units for local food and drink businesses, which will also offer a visitor experience.
The site will also get an open air space supporting events, festivals, tourism, innovation and enterprise.
The cash for SMB College Group’s Melton campus theatre will pay for work to refurbish the main auditorium and backstage facilities.
Melton Borough Council leader Councillor Joe Orson said “This is fantastic news for Melton and alongside the pre-Christmas announcement on the relief road, will provide a massive boost to the economy and regeneration of our borough.
“The delivery of these projects will enhance our reputation as the Rural Capital of Food, providing economic opportunities and support for established business and start up producers.
“Moreover, the creation of an event space at the Stockyard and investment into the theatre will together enrich our cultural offer and events, which will support the town centre and its expanding evening economy.”
Melton Mowbray Market chief executive Hugh Brown said: “This grant will allow us to turbo charge the development of the Stockyard, recognising Melton Mowbray’s heritage and future as a destination for food and drink lovers nationwide.
"Thanks to everyone for their efforts to get us here and I look forward to working with them to deliver the vision.”
Rutland’s successful bid will go into the health sector with a new digital innovation facility and improved access to the Rutland Memorial Hospital site.
It will support a £3.5 million lab and light assembly space for medi-tech level clinical trials, a professional development centre for clinicians, and a training base for students from local universities, including medical schools and schools of nursing.
Rutland has also got £2 million for a mobile, digital visitor experience to view two of the area’s heritage treasures – the biggest ichthyosaur fossil in Europe and the remains of a 4th century Roman villa and mosaic discovered near Rutland Water a couple of years ago.
Neither can be displayed easily to the public, so the funding will help council create virtual models, storage and touring facilities.
