Member Article

Marches LEP scheme funds redundant building conversion

A former pig barn in Shropshire is being transformed into offices to support the expansion of a horse veterinary practice thanks to funding from a Marches LEP scheme.

Bind Farm, in Billingsley, near Bridgnorth, has already completed several diversification projects since farmer John Williams closed his pig breeding business in 2000, including converting some buildings into holiday lets.

Now Mr Williams has been awarded £15,324 from the LEP’s Redundant Building Grants Scheme to develop a farm building into dedicated office space for two commercial tenants.

Bind Equine, run by Mr William’s daughter Kate, is already successfully operating at the site but the practice’s rapid growth now means offices are required in addition to the clinic space.

Kate said: “I set up Bind Equine in 2010 in a former grain store at the farm. We provide a full range of services from planned preventative care through to emergency 24hr treatment for competition, sport horses and family ponies.

“The company has rapidly expanded and we now employ a part-time vet, but we are so busy that we now require extra space as well as more staff.”

Chairman of the Marches LEP, Dr Geoffrey Davies OBE, said: “Bind Farm is an excellent example of how redundant and under-used buildings can be transformed for new purposes, creating wealth in the local economy and new jobs.

“Mr Williams has already converted one building to provide two holiday lets, which support the visitor economy in the Bridgnorth area, and he has also created two commercial units.

“This new grant from the Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme will help two businesses expand and create eight full-time jobs.”

The scheme, open to applications across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, is aiming to create around 300 jobs across the Marches between now and 2017.

Funding is available for capital grant support of between £3,000 and up to £50,000 to small businesses and start-ups to transform redundant buildings into a base for their enterprises.

Businesses interested in finding out more about the scheme, which is administered by Herefordshire Council on behalf of the LEP, can contact 01432 260662 or email rbgscheme@herefordshire.gov.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marches Local Enterprise Partnership .