- The business was forced to close due to COVID-19 restrictions and the funding facility enabled it to manage cashflow ahead of re-opening
- The business has adapted to the crisis and launched the sale and delivery of fruit boxes to generate income from alternative sources
Central Produce, established in 2008, is a family run fruit and vegetable wholesaler based in Alloa, Scotland. The company supplies products to the catering trade across Central Scotland, specialising in high quality fresh produce.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loan provided by Santander UK enabled the business to continue trading during the crisis and helped to fund the set-up of a new delivery service to the local community, providing a new income stream.
Andrew McDowall, General Manager, Central Produce, said: “This funding provided a bridge while most of our client base – restaurants and local businesses – had to temporarily close. It also made it possible for us to diversify our services and we now offer door to door deliveries of fresh produce. We hope to continue this service which brings restaurant quality produce to people who are juggling busy lives.”
Chris Appleton, Relationship Manager at Santander, commented: “Coronavirus is affecting every business differently. We’re pleased that this support has helped Central Produce to adapt its services and supported it to be in the strongest position it can be when its existing customer base returns.”
Santander UK is hosting a series of free ‘Survive and Revive’ webinars for SMEs on how to bolster their business proposition. Covering a range of topics – from innovating effectively to aligning purpose and culture – our experts delve into some of the ways that businesses have adjusted, and thrived, since the outbreak of coronavirus. You can find these webinars and a list of other helpful resources at www.santanderbreakthrough.co.uk/coronavirus.
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