The Food WorksSW, the South West’s leading food and drink innovation centre based in Weston-super-Mare, has launched a new canning line in response to growing demand from food and drink producers looking to scale up production and trial new canned products.
The new facility provides access for UK-wide start-ups, SMEs and established brands to commercial-scale canning equipment. Accommodating both 250ml and 330ml formats, the line is ideally suited for limited editions, small-batch runs and scaling operations, allowing businesses to bypass the significant upfront investment normally associated with such equipment.
Simon Gregory, Director at The Food WorksSW, said: “The new canning line will enable producers to innovate and bring canned products to market more quickly, affordably and flexibly than ever before. We’ve already received a high level of interest from businesses, which highlights the growing demand for accessible production facilities that help brands test, launch and scale products with confidence.
“We now offer a full end-to-end service under one roof, meaning producers can develop their drinks in our drinks kitchen and then move seamlessly into canning. It creates a more efficient, streamlined process for businesses looking to scale.”
Mary Walker, co-founder of Imber Drinks, added: “We’re delighted to be one of the first brands to use the new canning line at The Food WorksSW. The support and expertise the centre has provided to us has been invaluable. The team’s industry experience, technical knowledge and hands-on support is helping to lower the barriers for startup brands in the South West and beyond.”
Imber, a premium non-alcoholic beverage brand bringing a new flavour experience to consumers, is currently in the pre-launch stage. It’s preparing for its first commercial production run ahead of launch later this year.
Created by North Somerset Council and operated by the Future Food Partnership CIC, a not-for-private-profit Community Interest Company, The Food WorksSW supports start-ups, established brands and hospitality businesses to innovate and grow.
Since opening in 2020, the North Somerset centre has supported more than 350 businesses, helping them to develop, diversify and grow their product and menu offerings, and aims to help many more in the coming years through enhanced facilities and resources. Located in Weston-super-Mare, less than 30 minutes from Bristol, the centre is the only one in the South West. Facilities include five development kitchens with specialist equipment, 12 food grade business units, in-house technical experts, a fully-equipped photography studio, a business lounge and coffee shop (open to all businesses), meeting room and conference facilities and hosts multiple industry training and seminar events throughout the year.
The Food WorksSW has a number of upcoming events, including RSPH Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene in June, Mini Shoots for Food & Drink Brands and Meet The Buyer Programme in July, RSPH Level 2 Understanding HACCP in August, and a further RSPH Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene course in September. For more information, please visit foodworks-sw.co.uk/events.
The development kitchens are available for flexible short-term contract hire for food and drink businesses of all sizes, along with the meeting room and conference facilities. Technical support packages are also available at the centre and are designed to help businesses navigate their way through a range of food disciplines – from new product development and scale up to food safety and efficiency.
The Food WorksSW is currently partnering with the West of England Food and Drink Support Initiative (FDSI) to provide a fully funded programme supporting food and drink producers, manufacturers, hospitality and foodservice businesses across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Delivered by The Food WorksSW, the programme provides expert technical and business support, practical workshops and guidance to help businesses become retail-ready. Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and the four West of England councils, the initiative includes support with food safety and HACCP planning, certification advice such as SALSA, nutrition and labelling guidance, recipe development and product scale-up.
Eligible businesses can also access The Food WorksSW’s development kitchens, including up to two days’ kitchen hire and hands-on product development support from the in-house team.
Businesses interested in the programme can apply at www.foodworks-sw.co.uk/westofengland.
For more information about The Food WorksSW, visit foodworks-sw.co.uk or follow on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Producers interested in exploring the canning line or booking production time can email enquiries@foodworks-sw.co.uk or call 01934 287710.
Feature Image credit: Becky Craven
