PR shot Sterling Meats

Left to right: Benjamin Day (Cowgills), Adam Husband (FW Capital), Howard Lomax (Sterling Meat Company) and Sean Hutchinson (British Business Bank)

Northern butchers chain Sterling Meat Company has expanded its food-to-go format after securing a £500k investment.

The planned opening of two Sterling Food to Go stores in Middleton and Doncaster will create 20 jobs.

The £500k backing from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, will also support the business’ capital expenditure and working capital needs.

The Sterling Meat Company operates under two brands: high street butcher Meat Mart, selling fresh meats, frozen food and ready-to-eat pies and sandwiches at six locations across the north and Midlands, and Sterling Foods to Go, which offers hot and cold food from five stores.

Operations director Howard Lomax said the company wanted to increase its presence on the high street and bring store numbers to more than 12 outlets.

“The cash injection received from the investment from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance is helping us to realise these growth ambitions and bring our brands and products to a wider audience of consumers,” he added.

Adam Husband, investment executive at FW Capital, said: “The NPIF funding is all about supporting growth and this is a great example of a well-run business that was looking for additional support to fulfil its next stage of expansion. The management team at Sterling Meat Company have a very strong track record and both brands deliver quality products to its customer base, which is why it is doing so well.”

FW Capital manages the £162.2m NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance fund across the north west, Cumbria and Tees Valley on behalf of the British Business Bank, offering business loans from £100k to £750k.