Former Saltaire greengrocer Richard Musgrave is looking to further growth at his wholesale fruit and vegetable business after gaining support from a local enterprise programme.

Mr Musgrave, who moved to new premises in Keighley with his business, Strawberry Fields last July, has received a £10,000 capital grant and advice from Rising Stars, which is jointly delivered by Bradford Council and Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Musgrave used the grant to buy new vehicles and upgrade the cold room facilities at Strawberry Fields. He moved to Keighley to operate the business after running The Orange Grove greengrocery in Saltaire for 20 years.

Following the boost from Rising Stars, he is looking to further expansion of the business, which has 14 staff, in 2013.

Mr Musgrave said: “We supply restaurants, hotels, cafes and other retail food outlets and we’re very close to adding our own prepared vegetable unit, for things like coleslaw, diced carrots and potatoes, which we will then be distributing.

“I knew it was going to be a difficult year working with the banks so I spoke to Rising Stars adviser Carolyn Townsley. She’s been fantastic and helped us get the grant. It now means all our vans are refrigerated and we’re geared up for getting new business.

“Without Rising Stars, I don’t know if that would have been the case. The continued work with them has given me lots of self-belief to push Strawberry Fields forwards.”

He said Strawberry Fields will progress in 2013 through working with local farmers directly and is currently rebranding its website for customers to be able to buy online, knowing the majority of produce has been sourced locally.

Rising Stars is continuing to offer him advice on business direction and growth through regular meetings and phone calls.

Carolyn Coleman, Rising Stars business services manager, said: “Although a well-established company, Rising Stars was able to help Richard Musgrave and Strawberry Fields make great strides and move up successfully to the next level of business.”

Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green, added: “The positive growth and progression of Strawberry Fields during the past few months shows how Rising Stars is proving to be a valuable and worthwhile scheme across the district.

“Hopefully, the benefits seen by Strawberry Fields will encourage more firms to follow their example and take advantage of Rising Stars to improve and expand their business.”

For further information about Rising Stars and the Council’s business and enterprise programme, visit rising-stars.biz.