Timber business thrives with local growth grant

A Northumberland-based timber business is thriving, thanks in part to the support it received from a local growth initiative.

Northumberland Logs, founded in 2008 by James Cookson at his family's 3,800-acre Meldon Park Estate near Morpeth, processes waste timber from across Britain, with 90 per cent sourced locally in Northumberland and much of it from the estate.

Having enjoyed exponential growth, especially in recent years, the company was able to access funding through the Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) to purchase the machinery required to progress the business, with the cash having proved “absolutely crucial”.

James said: “We couldn’t have done this without the capital grant funding; it’s been absolutely crucial to the progression of the business. 

“We want to develop further and believe there’s room for growth, which has now become possible thanks to the grant from NSBS.” 

Lucy Evermore, NSBS programme manager, added: “It has been a pleasure working with Northumberland Logs to deliver the machinery required for their growth. 

“The team looks forward to hearing more about the continued success of Northumberland Logs in the years to come.”

The NSBS is a free support programme delivered by Northumberland County Council and partially funded by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, with NECA as the lead authority.

Eligible businesses across Northumberland can access NSBS grants to grow, diversify or start ventures, with the £2 million Rural Capital Grant Investment Fund providing capital investment for rural businesses with clear growth plans.

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