Businesses urged to support Norfolk's 'Showcase for the Agri Food sector'

Local firms were invited to join a new Business Supporters Scheme to raise £750,000 for the creation of the new Food Hall at the Norfolk Showground.

The Food Hall project is part of the strategy by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) to grow the Showground into a thriving events venue using its buildings and space in innovative ways, in addition to hosting the county's Norfolk Show.

Our Agricultural Business Consultancy, Architecture & Planning and Commercial teams have been closely involved in aiding the RNAA on this journey.

As a result, we are one of the first five businesses to have already joined the Business Supporters Scheme, contributing towards the £3m project which has so far raised £2.25m.

The Norfolk Food Hall, to be built close to the entrance to the Norfolk Showground opposite the Premier Inn, received planning permission last year - aided by our Planning team in Norwich.

External and internal CGI images of how the new Food Hall may look, completed by Architectural Image Solutions on behalf of the RNAA.

Today, RNAA Managing Director Mark Nicholas addressed local businesses at a breakfast meeting held in the on-site Events Centre, inviting them to join the Scheme backed by our firm along with Howes Percival, Ben Burgess, Woodforde's and Norfolk FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.)

Local businesses were invited to the Norfolk Showground's Events Centre for a breakfast meeting about the Business Supporters Scheme.

He said: "The Food Hall is a showcase for the Agri Food sector. The priority is to get it built."

Mr Nicholas said the Showground already had half a million visitors a year and the new Food Hall would help the visitor economy as well as enable the RNAA, a registered charity, to re-invest more to award grants and bursaries.

He said the new project brought together 'food, farming, the countryside and learning' with plans including a 3,500 sqft retail space with a butchery, delicatessen and restaurant as well as a children's play area and possibly an animal petting section all set in the 360 acre showground site that was 'Norfolk's largest and most versatile event venue.'

He added how important it was to provide green space too for people and help people connect with food and farming and 'tell the story of food production in Norfolk in 2024.'

Andrew Fundell, Partner, Agricultural Business Consultancy and Mark Nicholas, RNAA Managing Director at today's event.

Andrew Fundell, Partner, Agricultural Business Consultancy, attending the event, said: "We at Brown&Co are delighted to be supporting the initiative to bring Norfolk food and farming together in this exciting new venture."

For more information you can contact Andrew Fundell at Brown&Co in Norwich on 01603 629871.