HECK! Food is a North Yorkshire-based food manufacturer, producing high-quality sausages and meat products for national retailers. As the business has grown, it has developed a strong reputation not only for its innovation and quality, but also for its commitment to supporting wider community and workforce agendas. As the business has grown, it has remained committed to sustainability, continually exploring ways to reduce its environmental impact. 

Overview of Activity 

Business North Yorkshire has developed a strong and ongoing relationship with HECK!, built on shared learning, and a mutual commitment to improving business and community outcomes across the region.  

This relationship has extended beyond traditional business support. HECK! demonstrated its commitment to supporting the wider business community by readily agreeing to speak at the Business North Yorkshire Inclusive Employment Trailblazer Conference, contributing valuable real-world insight to other employers looking to develop more inclusive workplaces. 

In addition, HECK! is actively involved in the Food for the Future North Yorkshire Framework for Action, a collaborative initiative across North Yorkshire facilitated by the Public Health team at North Yorkshire Council. This partnership brings together organisations from across the region to develop a healthier, more sustainable and resilient local food system.  

Alongside this broader engagement, the business has also progressed its sustainability journey, working with Business North Yorkshire and their Y&NY Growth Hub partners to explore and implement renewable energy solutions. This led to a successful grant award to support the installation of a large-scale solar panel system at its production facility. 

The Impact: 

Through its engagement with Business North Yorkshire and wider partners, HECK! has not only strengthened its own operation, including making significant progress in energy efficiency and cost reduction, but has also played an active role in supporting wider regional priorities.  

By working closely with Business North Yorkshire and openly sharing its experiences with other businesses, HECK! has helped to: 

• Champion inclusive employment practices, helping to shape more accessible and diverse workplaces locally 

• Inform local approaches to food, health, and sustainability, leading by example through initiatives such as investment in solar energy  

• Demonstrate how businesses can take a proactive leadership role in delivering regional economic and social priorities  

The solar installation has delivered significant and measurable benefits for the business. In its first full year, the system generated 200 MWh of renewable energy which provided substantial energy cost savings, strengthening HECK!’s business resilience, sustainability credentials and reducing its carbon footprint.  

Beyond the direct business benefits, this investment also contributes to wider environmental ambitions across North Yorkshire. By taking early action and investing at scale, HECK! is helping to lead by example, demonstrating how, with the right support, collaboration, and ambition, businesses can play a proactive role in reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and supporting the transition to a greener local economy. 

Image source: Heck! 

The Silicone Straw Co began with a simple frustration: soggy paper straws. Founder Charlotte Walsh wanted a durable, safe and pleasant-to-use alternative for her family.  When she couldn’t find one, she created it, launching the UK’s first reusable silicone drinking straw. 

Founded in 2019, and starting from her home office in the Yorkshire Dales, Charlotte manufactured her first batch of white silicone straws and hand‑packed  each order. After early success, and the support of her local Business Advisor and the UK Shared prosperity Fund, Charlotte streamlined her dispatching process, expand her product line, and investigate new markets.   

A turning point came when Charlotte introduced a portable travel tin to the range, which quickly became a bestseller and helped propel the business forward.  

Today, the company’s products are stocked by Oxfam and selected National Trust shops. Charlotte continues to run the company herself, working with local small businesses for additional support. Many products are still hand-packed in North Yorkshire, maintaining the brand’s commitment to UK-based production.  

The Challenge  

With demand growing in the UK, Charlotte set her sights on international markets - an important step but a challenging one for a small business. Breaking into global markets typically requires presence at trade shows, where exhibition costs can exceed £5,000. With a wholesale price of around £2.50 per straw, achieving a return on investment is difficult, particularly while maintaining UK manufacturing.  

External factors also created obstacles. The resurgence of plastic straws in the US and shifting international tariffs made entry into some markets more complex. Despite these challenges, Charlotte remained determined to grow her exports, especially across Europe.   

The Solution: 

Charlotte received personalised one‑to‑one support from Michaela Young, her local Business North Yorkshire business adviser at North Yorkshire Council. Michaela helped build Charlotte’s confidence in exporting, guided her through available support options, and encouraged her to apply for help-to-export grants that could reduce the cost of exhibiting internationally.  

With this guidance, Charlotte successfully secured funding that enabled her to attend two international trade shows within a twelve‑month period which provided opportunities she had previously considered financially out of reach.   

Impact and Community Engagement  

The results were significant. The Silicone Straw Co increased its exporting activity by over 50%, directly linked to the relationships formed at trade shows. At an international trade fair in London in January 2026, Charlotte secured strong orders, gained at least two new international stockists, and initiated promising discussions with distributors in Greece.  

Beyond commercial growth, the case highlights the importance of local support. Working closely with her Business North Yorkshire Advisor and partnering with nearby small businesses showcases  how regional collaboration can help micro-businesses thrive.  

Charlotte reflects on the impact of the support:  

“When you are running a business on your own, every big decision feels personal. Trade shows are expensive, margins are tight, and some days you wonder if it’s worth the risk, especially when you manufacture in the UK. Michaela’s support made a huge difference. She helped me see that international growth was possible and encouraged me to apply for export grants I probably wouldn’t have gone for on my own. Because of that, I’ve been able to attend trade shows, meet international buyers and grow exports by more than fifty percent. I am really grateful for her guidance and encouragement"

Image source: Silicone Straw Co 

Producing English whisky and cold-distilled gin, Cooper King Distillery is an award-winning, independent distillery based in Sutton-on-the-Forest, North Yorkshire. Founded in 2016 by Dr Abbie Neilson and Chris Jaume, the business was self-built and crowdfunded, with sustainability embedded at its heart. 

Located in a rural village, the distillery plays an important role in the local economy – supporting skilled employment, attracting visitors, and acting as a valued social hub for the community. 

The Challenge 

Distilling is a highly energy-intensive process, and the business operates on an all-electric site. As the distillery approached the end of a fixed-price renewable energy contract, it faced a potential doubling of energy costs and the risk of moving to a non-renewable supplier. 

This created significant challenges: 

Rising costs and energy volatility threatened business resilience 

Potential loss of renewable supply risked undermining business sustainability credentials 

The Solution: 

Cooper King Distillery worked with Business North Yorkshire (BNY), initially engaging through the UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme, which enabled the distillery to successfully extend and enhance its capacity for tours, tastings, and events. This early support built valuable relationships and helped build confidence in accessing public funding. 

Building on this relationship, BNY Business Advisor Joanna supported the business to access further funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Business Sustainability Programme. This included: 

Guidance through the application process 

Aligning the project with regional climate priorities 

Unlocking funding to make the project viable 

BNY support also helped the business explore wider growth opportunities, including entering national awards and accessing further programmes. 

The Impact: 

With BNY support, the distillery delivered a combined sustainability and growth project, including: 

• Installation of a 40kW rooftop solar PV system 

• Installation of 30kWh battery storage 

• Installation of two EV charging points 

• Development of a covered outdoor visitor space with seating and event infrastructure 

This has delivered strong economic, environmental and community benefits: 

• Around 76% of electricity is now generated onsite 

• Approx. 28,595 kWh produced annually, saving over 6 tonnes of CO2e annually 

• Two publicly accessible EV charging points  

• Visitor capacity increased from 10 to up to 55 guests at one time 

• Turnover increased by over 20% 

• Increased financial stability and resilience in a challenging economic climate 

• New part-time roles created 

The improvements have positioned Cooper King Distillery for continued growth and business resilience.  

The distillery has also gained national recognition, winning a top award at the 2025 Green Growth Awards and continuing to lead the way in sustainable spirits production. 

Image source: Cooper King