In 2021 a family-run business in the North East was awarded funding to support the diversification of their business offering.
Key facts
- Applicant name: Larry's Fishcakes Ltd
- Type of project: Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products and support for marketing across the sector
- Project value: £320,000
- FaSS award: £162,000
- Date awarded: July 2021 and December 2023
About the project
Family run business, Larry's Fishcakes, is an established fishcake manufacturer in North Shields. They produce scampi, fish fingers and fishcakes. The company was heavily reliant on the wholesale market and faced logistical challenges in 2020/21 due to closures in the hospitality industry and transport issues as a result of Covid-19.
In 2021, MMO awarded £150,000 to Larry's Fishcakes to reduce their reliance on the wholesale market and adhere to retail regulations allowing them to diversify fully into the retail sector. This was achieved by the purchase of a suite of processing equipment and a refrigerated vehicle. A further £12,000 was awarded in 2023 to support their marketing and promotional activity.
These investments have since enabled Larry's Fishcakes to further diversify their business model to account for the impacts on the sector such as the cost-of-living crisis and cost of utilities, who now offer a home food service to meet the needs of their customers.
Craig Foster, Owner of Larry's Fishcakes said:
The reality is that without FaSS assistance Larry's Fishcakes would be in a dark place… if indeed here at all. Some of the things we did may not have worked 100% however the three to four years' of projects have been very positive overall, and future proofed the company.
During these unprecedented times, the fact that we are still here and have managed to grow is a testament to my wonderful team, our suppliers, this funding support and our customers. I hope now that we can have a prolonged period of normality."
FaSS enabled Larry's Fishcakes to be flexible and MMO grants team have been incredibly helpful from day one.
Outcomes
By March 2025, this project is expected to deliver:
- 3 FTE created (delivered)
- 9 FTE safeguarded (delivered)
- Increased resilience
- Net profit increase of £80,000
- Improved market share by establishing a new customer base.
View more case studies here: Fisheries and Seafood Scheme: Selected case studies
