A local business in Baumber has been able to expand their drainage company thanks to a grant from East Lindsey District Council. Shelton Sportsturf Drainage Ltd have been awarded £29,864 through the Rural Development Fund helping owners Michael Claxton and Richard Clark develop their Chain Trencher and create two full time jobs and an apprenticeship.
With 60 years combined experience, Michael and Richard sell their specialised products to countries around the world as well as locally and wanted to expand their current range of machinery for agricultural use as well. After focusing on solving drainage issues on all types of playing surfaces, the new Chain Trencher is in its early stages of prototype testing and is designed to install drainage pipes to solve the problems of waterlogged fields. The Grant is helping in developing this new machine for sale in the near future and it is hoped the Chain Trencher will have good export potential also.
Owner, Michael Claxton said: “The chain trencher is one of the machines we have been developing to enable us to expand into the agricultural business. The Rural Development Fund grant has been a significant boost towards this project and has enabled us to employ more people.”
“We now have over 15 specialist drainage products in our range.”
Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy, Councillor Adam Grist, said: “The Rural Development Fund is about supporting businesses to grow and prosper and to help boost the economy of East Lindsey.”
“Shelton Sportsturf Drainage is a prime example of a business with a clear plan for the future and an ambition to develop new markets and create new jobs. On behalf of the District Council we wish them every success with their Chain Trencher project.”
Since the Rural Development Fund was established in East Lindsey in 2012, over £800,000 has been awarded to 31 local businesses and projects helping to create 57 jobs both full time and part time positions and six apprenticeships, and safeguarding hundreds of jobs.
The funding can support up to 75 per cent of the cost of a project up to a maximum of £50,000.
Shelton Sportsturf Drainage returned to Ross-on-Wye Golf Club earlier this year in the first week of September to install drainage on the remaining 13 greens after the first five had been…Read more
