Spalding-based hemp grower Bridge Farm returns to independent ownership

Hemp and ornamental plant and flower grower, Bridge Farm in Spalding, has today announced a new ownership deal.

And it says this will mean 'continued investment in its state-of-the-art glasshouse facilities and research into the botanical health and wellness market, including cannabis-derived CBD.'

A statement released by Bridge Farm reads: 'Bridge Farm Group, the UK’s leading producer of ornamental plants, flowers and herbs, has announced today that it has executed a definitive agreement that will return the company to independent ownership as a newly formed entity controlled by David Ball, former CEO of Bridge Farm and current partner at Artemis Growth.

'The current management team led by managing director, Louise Motala will continue to have full operational control of the business.

'Bridge Farm’s core focus will remain on its ornamental horticulture and produce business, where it expects to continue building on its market leading position. The transaction will provide continued investment in its state-of-the-art glasshouse facilities and research into the botanical health and wellness market, including cannabis-derived CBD.'

The new entity deal has gone through for an 'undisclosed amount.'

Louise Motala, managing director of Bridge Farm Group said: “The impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on our industry means that the need for high quality, sustainably grown UK products has never been greater.

"This is an exciting time in Bridge Farm’s history. Over the last two years we have invested over £45million in Clay Lake, one of the most advanced, environmentally sound cultivation facilities in Europe.

"We have over 60 acres of fully automated, sustainable cultivation and production space and we are looking forward to realising the full potential of our scale and facilities for the benefit of our customers.”

Bridge Farm Group was established in 1988 by Jayne and Tony Ball, and led by their son, David from 2010 until the sale of the company in 2019 to Sundial Growers Inc.

Bridge Farm Group is one of the UK’s leading growers of plants, cut flowers and herbs to the retail horticulture industry.

It has over 60 acres of fully automated glasshouse facilities.

It adds that it adopts a technological and sustainable approach to large scale cultivation. All facilities utilise environmentally friendly resources including biomass heating, rainwater capture, robotic transplanting and space machines.

Bridge Farm Group has been recognised by the industry, most recently winning Protected Ornamentals Grower of the Year, along with High-Growth Business of the Year at the Horticulture Week Business Awards. They were awarded the prestigious FPC Supermarket Floral and Plant Supplier of the Year 2019.

With 30 megawatts of UK tariff-incentivised Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) sustainable power generation on site Bridge Farm explains that it is also an environmentally sound net producer of low-cost green energy.