Local home caterers are the latest Horsham District small businesses set to benefit from a new support scheme from Horsham District Council.
Realising that moving from a home kitchen to a more commercial catering space can be a significant financial investment for a small food business, the Council has developed an online matchmaking directory for local food businesses. Home-based caterers can browse the directory to seek out commercial kitchens that are willing to share their facilities.
Securing commercial kitchen facilities can have many benefits over working from a home kitchen. As well as increasing scalability in food production, caterers can appear more attractive to online partners which could result in increased trade.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy and Place Cllr Ruth Fletcher commented:
This kitchen share scheme is a great new initiative which provides local home caterers with the opportunity to dip their toes in the water and test out a different business model with relatively low risk by working with others in more commercially equipped kitchens.
“One of the biggest steps a small food business operating form home can make is deciding to leave their domestic kitchen behind and move into a commercial space. With this new scheme they can try out working in a commercial sized kitchen before taking the decision to commit to bigger premises.
“There are benefits too for businesses hiring out sections of their commercial premises, as this can provide an additional income for them.”
If you are interested in hiring out some of your commercial workspace to help a home caterer, or you are a home caterer looking for a commercial space, please send your details to:
publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk marked for the attention of ‘Kitchen Share Scheme’ or calling 01403 215479 for further information.
This scheme is part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.