Council awards Rural England Prosperity Fund grant to Lemon & Jinja
Test Valley Borough Council has awarded a grant of just over £8,000 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to Lemon & Jinja, a refill and reuse shop and a café based on the Belbins Industrial Estate in Romsey. The funding has enabled a series of efficiency upgrades, including the installation of new kitchen equipment, handcrafted ceramics, an upgraded till system, a high-performance water boiler, and a Wenut butter machine.
These enhancements have significantly transformed the kitchen, streamlined operations and boosted productivity. The bespoke ceramics were created by Charlotte Manser, an artisan also supported by an REPF grant from West Berkshire Council. The water boiler was supplied by River Coffee, another REPF beneficiary, this time through Winchester City Council.
Jesse Dugdale, owner of Lemon & Jinja, said: "The grant has been transformational for our business. The integrated till system has improved our productivity by recording customer details and monitoring stock. We are now planning to purchase another till system due to its success. Additionally, the new Wenut butter machine allows us to expand our product range to meet customer demands. Our kitchen has been completely revamped, replacing inefficient appliances and creating more space for our staff."
Councillor Alison Johnston, portfolio holder for Climate Emergency and Countryside, said: "Having visited Lemon & Jinja on several occasions, it's been inspiring to witness first-hand their commitment to sustainability and their active role in supporting our net zero ambitions. We’re pleased to support them through the Rural England Prosperity Fund and this grant reflects our dedication to empowering local businesses and helping them operate more efficiently. The enhancements made at Lemon & Jinja are a shining example of how targeted investment can boost productivity, drive growth, and contribute to a greener future for our community."
The Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund provides capital funding for rural business and rural communities. TVBC received just over half a million pounds to be distributed between rural businesses and rural community organisations to help develop rural economies. The grants were open to businesses and community groups across the rural areas of our borough all the funds have now been allocated. The funding is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
For more information about Lemon & Jinja, visit their website at https://lemonandjinja.com/.