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Stirling-based food business Blueberry Hill Meals has been awarded funding through the Stirling Council Premises Improvement Grant, supported by the UK Governments Shared Prosperity Fund.
The funding will enable the business to install a modern, energy-efficient air conditioning system and upgrade key kitchen equipment as part of their wider strategy to futureproof operations and reduce environmental impact.
Operating from three industrial units at Stirling Enterprise Park, Blueberry Hill Meals prepare and deliver high-quality frozen ready meals to households across central Scotland.
The business has grown significantly in recent years, now employing 10 staff and producing over 100 menu items for a diverse customer base—many of whom rely on the service for daily nutrition and independence.
The new investment will help improve energy efficiency across the site, reduce operating costs and enhance working conditions for staff in the kitchen and production areas.
Emily Ogilvy, Co-Director of Blueberry Hill Meals, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have secured this support. It’s a real milestone for us as we continue to grow responsibly and sustainably.
Our team work incredibly hard and these upgrades will make a big difference not just to energy use, but to day-to-day working conditions in the kitchen—especially as warmer temperatures put added strain on our fridges and freezers.”
The grant comes at a pivotal time for the business, as it prepares to launch a brand-new menu featuring fresh seasonal specials and expanded options for those with dietary requirements.
The Winter Specials menu is designed to give customers something new to enjoy, with regularly changing dishes that celebrate the best seasonal ingredients.
The team at Blueberry Hill Meals actively seek customer feedback and suggestions to help shape each new menu, ensuring their meals continue to reflect what customers love most.
This year’s Winter Specials will also coincide with the launch of the business’s Christmas menu, offering comforting festive favourites alongside their main range.
“It’s a small supplement to our main menu but it’s very varied,” added Emily. “We’re really excited to see what our customers think of it—we think it might be the best one yet.”
With improved kitchen infrastructure, the team will be able to prepare meals more efficiently and in greater volumes—supporting their commitment to quality and reliability, as demand continues to rise.
Victoria Larcombe, Co-Director, added:
“This grant gives us the chance to make improvements we otherwise couldn’t have afforded. It’s a great example of how targeted local funding can help small businesses stay resilient, competitive, and environmentally conscious.
Huge thanks to the team at STEP for supporting us through the application process—like many small business owners, finding the time to complete funding applications alongside running day-to-day operations can be really challenging.”
Laura Melville, Director of Property and Operations at STEP, commented:
“It’s fantastic to see a business like Blueberry Hill Meals continue to thrive and invest in sustainable growth.
The business is an important part of our business community here at Stirling Enterprise Park and this upgrade will not only reduce energy consumption, but also strengthen the businesses ability to serve vulnerable customers across the region.
One of the unique things about STEP is that we’re not just landlords—we actively support businesses to access opportunities like this. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that our hands-on support leads to real, tangible outcomes for growing companies.”
The project aligns with Stirling Council’s ambitions to support town and village centre regeneration, energy efficiency and business sustainability. Blueberry Hill Meals is one of several local businesses benefiting from this round of Premises Improvement Grant awards.
Convener of Stirling Council’s Finance, Economy and Culture Committee, Cllr Gerry McLaughlan, said: “This grant will help this small Stirling-based food business to improve its facilities and customer services so it can continue to grow sustainably, delivering wider economic, environmental and social benefits for the local area. “STEP offers a wide range of specialist business support services for local businesses and this is a fantastic example of how it can make a huge difference to start-ups and other small to medium-sized enterprises across Stirling.”
Find out more about Blueberry Hill Meals at blueberryhillmeals.co.uk
