Food businesses to get a boost with opening of New Start-up Food Production Units in Swords

Minister of State for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD together with the new Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David O’Connor officiated at the opening of three start-up food production units in Drinan Enterprise Centre, Swords.

Supported and managed by the Fingal Local Enterprise Office, Drinan Enterprise Centre in Swords is already home to 28 start-up businesses providing more than 100 jobs and since it opened five years ago has been a catalyst for numerous start-up businesses in the Swords area.

The launch of these three new bespoke food production units add to the already impressive offering that the Drinan Enterprise Centre has available for start-up businesses.

The three food start-up units, at 570sqft each, have been professionally designed to comply with all required Food Safety Standards. Interest in the food units has been strong since the recent announcement that they would be available for occupancy in June.

The first local food producer approved to take one of the three units has now been announced. Trish Kelly of The Cup Cake Store from Malahide will move her recently established cupcake production facility to the first unit next week.

Opening the new units, Minister Gerald Nash commented “I am delighted to see the proactive approach Fingal County Council and the Local Enterprise Office are taking by focusing resources on small growing food businesses with potential to grow. Many food businesses start in home kitchens, but need high quality affordable facilities if they are to expand, develop and create employment. I wish Drinan Enterprise Centre and its new food tenants the very best in this new venture.”

Speaking at the launch, Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council said “Fingal is an area rich in food production and this sector plays a huge role in employment creation in the region. The opening of these new food units today reinforces the commitment of Fingal County Council and the Local Enterprise Office to support and develop the food sector in the county”.

Funding provided by Fingal County Council and the Fingal Local Enterprise Office has enabled the construction of the new units.

Enquiries about the food units available in Drinan can be made by phoning Declan Ryan in the Local Enterprise Office on 8900800, or email declanryan@leo.fingal.ie

Opening of Food Units in Drinan Enterprise Centre 22-Jun-15

pictured l-r Emma Lynch of The CupCake Store, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David O'Connor, Minister of State for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD and Trish Kelly, proprietor The CupCake Store.