The premises was originally home to the well known Lairds jam factory in the 1980’s (we all remember Bo Peep jams) and was taken over by the Kepak Group during the 1990’s. At one point Lairds was producing over 30 tonnes of jam and marmalade per each eight hour shift and its products were gracing breakfast tables in countries throughout Europe and the Middle East as well as the USA and Canada. The premises closure in 1998 meant a loss of 100 jobs in the community, it then lay idle for decades underscoring a lack of employment growth and economic development in the area. The not for profit community activist group Drumshanbo County Council insightfully took the opportunity to restore the premises as an state of the art food specific enterprise centre of 14 individual food business units offering world class food production facilities, not only unique to the area but as one-of-its kind in the country.
Years of planning, research and funding applications resulted in the financial backing of key stakeholders such as International Fund for Ireland, Arigna LEADER, Clár, Enterprise Ireland, Interreg IIIA, Leitrim County Enterprise Board, Green Box, Bord Bia, Musgrave Group and the Leitrim County Council Peace II funding. The final result is impressive, a 14 unit world class food production facility fully compliant with environmental health regulations which is now open to interested parties.