East Yorkshire farm to create new jobs after diversifying with £2m HSBC funding

A farm in East Yorkshire is set to expand into the poultry industry with a funding package worth £2m from HSBC UK.

Forest Farm Poultry has been launched by Gordon and Jill Hawcroft at their farm in Holme on Spalding Moor as a way of diversifying their business.

Having operated their arable farm for over 40 years, the couple have constructed four new sheds totalling 105,000 sq ft with the funding package.

The sheds will house more than 215,000 chickens, supporting the couple’s effort to expand into the poultry market.

It is expected that the farm will create four new jobs as a result of the funding, as well as increasing its turnover by 75 per cent over the next 12 months.

Gordon Hawcroft, owner of Forest Farm Poultry, commented: “In farming, it’s important to be adaptable to change, which is why we’re excited to diversify the farm and try something we’ve never done before.

“We’re confident that we can operate successfully in both arable and poultry farming, with the new eco-friendly poultry sheds offering a fantastic base to build a responsible business. It’s an exciting time for the farm and we can’t wait to showcase some incredible produce.”

Rob Mayson, agriculture relationship manager at HSBC UK, added: “Gordon’s farm in Holme spans across an impressive amount of land and has been successful for many years, facing a range of challenges in this time.

“This latest investment shows that the farm has all the necessary tools to create long term prosperity under family ownership. Funding this latest expansion into poultry is an exciting prospect for the business and we look forward to seeing the results.”