Food firm to create hundreds of jobs and new facility with £16m HSBC funding

A frozen food manufacturer and retailer is set to build a new facility and create jobs after securing £16m funding from HSBC UK.

COOK has secured the funding package from the bank in order to construct a new 25,000 sq ft kitchen facility in Sittingbourne, 45 miles from London.

Founded in 1997, COOK sells frozen food products through 90 stores across the UK and in over 500 concessions.

Edward Perry, co-chief executive officer of COOK, commented: “Our existing kitchen facility is at full capacity, so we needed additional space to be able to achieve our plan of doubling our sales in five years.

“Our new site has given us total confidence that we will achieve our goal and, at the same time, allow us to continue to improve both our manufacturing process and products.

“It will also enable us to recruit 80 new members of staff initially, with a view to grow to a total headcount of 200 new staff over the next three to four years.”

The new site will be the firm’s second location in the town, situated near its existing facility on Eurolink Way.

Dan Russell, HSBC UK’s area director for North London Corporate Banking, added: “It has been a joy working with COOK to secure funding for its additional kitchen, which promises to benefit both the business and the wider community.

“I’m confident that the company will use this as a platform for significant growth in the future and look forward to seeing what the team achieves.”