Bank support will help fermenting business expand its services

A fermenting business set up during lockdown is expanding, with plans to provide classes for would-be fermenters to learn the skills of the trade.

Liverpool-based Fermentation Station specialises in fermenting food and drinks.

It was founded by fermentation experts Sam Watson and Amy Yarker and sells a range of food and drink products on its website and through local retailers.

Sam said: “We have always been interested in fermenting, having started with beer and then moved into food.

“Over lockdown we were doing more and more of it out of necessity as much as anything, but we also shared with some of our friends and family who encouraged us to start selling at local markets. The business grew from there.”

The couple launched online workshops last year, but now lockdown regulations have eased, they plan to introduce face-to-face sessions.

Sam said: “We know that food wastage is a huge issue and with the cost of living continuing to go up, many people are looking for easy ways to save money and also help the environment.

“Fermenting is incredibly easy to do and It’s also good for your health. It’s also sustainable which we know is incredibly important to people. Our workshops are an easy way to get started.”

To help grow their venture, Sam and Amy joined the NatWest Accelerator.

NatWest runs a suite a tailored programmes to support businesses, including those focused on climate, fintech, high growth and purpose-led, the latter of which Fermentation Station is a part of.

Amy Yarker and Sam Watson

Sam said: “We started the business over lockdown, and while we were doing fine on our own we knew we wanted additional support to continue to grow the business.

“The NatWest Accelerator has helped us to frame where we want to take the business from here, but doing so in a way that is authentic to us and our purpose.”

Libbie Mowbray, scale acceleration manager at NatWest, said: “It’s an exciting time for Sam, Amy and Fermentation Station as they look to grow the business and develop new opportunities to showcase their expertise.

“Running an ethical business is paramount to everything they do and this focus will continue to help them as they decide where to take the business going forward.”