Bradford-based Regal Foods targets growth with LEP investment

14 January 2021

The Regal Food Group secured £89,391 of grant support from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) towards the expansion of its production facility and is creating 30 new jobs.  

Regal Foods is a well-established food manufacturer that has grown from selling to corner shops to a multi-million-pound business, now supplying clients across the UK and exporting to over 40 countries around the world.  

The company manufactures and supplies over 100 different product lines under two brands called ‘Regal Foods’ and ‘Yorkshire Bakery,’ which includes a variety of cakes and pastries, biscuits, savories and juices. The business recently found an opportunity in the UK market to manufacture a popular product called Bombay Mix.  

A key supplier to major UK supermarkets chains including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Iceland and the Co-Op, the company has helped supermarkets across the country remain stocked with products throughout the pandemic. The company has recently expanded its client base within the supermarket sector having signed a supplier agreement with Lidl to supply all its UK stores.  

This project received investment from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.  

The company has also received support from the LEP to invest in new technology, undertake an energy audit to identify ways to save money and reduce carbon emissions. 

Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) and the NP11, said:  

“Helping businesses to grow and to create jobs will be beneficial to our region’s recovery from the pandemic as we begin to rebuild a more inclusive and sustainable economy.  

I would encourage all businesses to get in touch with the LEP to find out more about the support available.” 

Absar Younis, Operations Director, and Faz Ali, Group Sales Marketing Director of Regal Foods Group said:  

“Support from the LEP will help Regal Foods to expand our manufacturing and production facility in order to manufacture a new product, Bombay Mix, to fulfil a supply gap in the UK and in turn create 30 new associated jobs.”  

Regal Foods is actively involved in the Bradford community supporting a range of local initiatives including sponsorship of junior football teams, ongoing donations to local foodbanks and charities, as well as a recent partnership with the Yorkshire County Cricket club to support youth development.  

Economic forecasting undertaken by the Combined Authority found that in a worst-case scenario, West Yorkshire could see up to 58,000 jobs lost in the next year leading to an unemployment rate of 14% and £12 billion wiped off the value of the regional economy.  

Supporting businesses to ensure resilience, to increase productivity and to create jobs is a key element of the West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Plan, which is aimed at growing a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable economy as the region rebuilds from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The LEP continues to see high levels of demand for support from businesses across the  region. By halfway through the year, it had helped over 2,500 businesses, and by the end of September had provided intensive support, which includes grant and/or one-to-one advice from a business support professional to 1,100 businesses. 

To learn more about the support available through the LEP’s Business Support Service, email BusinessSupport@the-lep.com.