Carley’s set for £1M expansion

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2024

A vision to transform a disused water pumping station into an eco-friendly factory for a small Cornish organic food producer will become a reality later this year.

Carley’s of Cornwall has been awarded £447k of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence investment for its £1 million relocation from a factory unit in Truro to an old water pumping station at the former Great Wheal Daniel ochre and tin mine near Chacewater.

The move will address efficiency and productivity constraints which have held back the business growth plans of husband and wife team John and Shirley Carley. Having greater storage space and a food production area specifically designed for that activity will enable them to increase output and take on more staff.

L-R: Shirley, Rachel and John Carley with Dave Bullen from Francis Clark in front of the former water pumping station that is set to be transformed into an eco-friendly factory
L-R: Shirley, Rachel and John Carley with Dave Bullen from Francis Clark in front of the former water pumping station that is set to be transformed into an eco-friendly factory

The couple currently employs daughter Rachel but they hope to create up to six new jobs as a direct result of their business expansion.

The company was advised on its ERDF funding application by David Bullen, a member of the grants team at Francis Clark chartered accountants.

John Carley said: “We would never have had the confidence, time or specialist knowledge to have worked through the application process for the funding without the first class support of our accountants Francis Clark.

“It was particularly helpful having David handling our case from start to finish. He was mindful of there not being enough hours in the day for us but helped us keep the application on track and meet deadlines. This funding will make a huge difference to growing our business and means we can move forward with confidence.”

Carley’s of Cornwall started life as a wholefood shop in 1974 and moved to its current premises in 2003. The business is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of organic nut and seed butters and organic chocolate spreads.