Aberdeen food and drink innovation hub marks major construction milestone

A new food and drink innovation hub in Aberdeen has celebrated a major construction milestone with a 'topping out' ceremony.

The £27 million ONE SeedPod has reached the highest point of construction at the site located near Dyce, which is due to officially open in 2025.

The facility will offer a range of benefits for business start-ups in the sector including food-grade manufacturing units, an NPD Kitchen and pilot plant where companies can develop new products, and a demo kitchen to allow room for showcasing products online and in person.

The 30,000 square foot is still in its main construction phase and has received funding boosts from the Aberdeen City Region Deal, the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, and the Just Transition Fund.

David Kilshaw chairs Food Hub (NES) Ltd - the not-for-profit created to develop the capital project - hailed ONE SeedPod as a "unique home for the entrepreneurial ecosystem that provides ambitious businesses with commercial facilities, sector expertise, growth support and industry connections under one roof.

"It is where businesses will scale production, develop new products and processes, and showcase their products.

"The region’s ambitious community of entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders will meet and share ideas and inspiration, and access tailored support to accelerate growth and create new, high-skill jobs.”

A ceremonial brick was prepared to ensure the success of the building in line with industry tradition with symbolic ingredients added to the brick mould.

Oil represents liberty and prosperity, corn, to enable the property to ripen in abundance, salt for purity, wine to represent hospitality and wisdom, and yew branches for longevity and renewal.

Sir Ian Wood, chair of ONE, said: “The Aberdeen City Region Deal was the first of its kind with a vision to diversify our economy by investing in key sector innovation and growth.

"Food and drink is this region’s biggest industry after energy, employing 22,000 people, and the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. ONE and the project partners are investing in the growth potential of new and established businesses.

"We celebrate a milestone in the build today and look ahead to ONE SeedPod becoming the focal point for practical growth support to the sector.”

John Lamont, Minister for Scotland, attended the ceremony on behalf of the UK Government who have provided £5 million worth of funding towards the project.

Mr Lamont said: "It was a pleasure to visit ONE SeedPod to mark this significant milestone on the journey to levelling up the region and Scotland more broadly.

"I can't wait to see the food and drink innovation hub up and running as it will help boost the local and national economy.

"The UK Government is backing the facility with £5 million investment - part of our £125 million commitment to the Aberdeen City Region Deal. In total we are investing more than £3 billion to level up across Scotland."