Council supports local business with over £23,000 Rural England Prosperity Fund grant
A local rural business in Test Valley has received a significant boost thanks to a grant of just over £23,000 from the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), administered by Test Valley Borough Council.
The Essential Party Ingredient (Miller and McKaig), run by Ollie McKaig and Flora Wordie, is a specialist catering company offering large-scale, high-quality kitchen and restaurant set ups at client’s venues, and delivering fine dining at special events such as weddings and parties. The funding has supported the business in expanding its operations, investing in new equipment such as a large capacity dishwasher, mobile ovens, and wheeled cages to transport equipment.
Business owner, Ollie McKaig, said: “This grant has come at a perfect time for us. It’s enabled us to invest in new equipment and improve our logistics, which means we can take on more bookings and offer an even better service to our customers. We’re incredibly grateful to Test Valley Borough Council for their support.”
Councillor Maureen Flood said: “We’re delighted to support The Essential Party Ingredient through the Rural England Prosperity Fund. This is exactly the kind of business the fund is designed to help that is rooted in our rural economy. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow and prosper.”
The UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that provides capital funding for rural business and rural communities. TVBC received just over half a million pounds up to end March 2025 which has been distributed between businesses and community organisations across the rural areas of our borough to help develop our rural economy. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus