Success on the menu

Mumtaz Khan (Kesan Foods).

GET OLDHAM WORKING

A FOOD manufacturer has hailed the appetite for support and advice witnessed first hand as part of his application to a local investment fund.

Mumtaz Khan, who runs Kesan Foods Ltd, in Greenacres Road, was awarded a grant from the Oldham Enterprise Fund earlier this year.

The firm, which deals in chilled and frozen food, was started by Mumtaz and his brother in 2004.

It used the cash injection to meet an order agreed with frozen food logistics provider Yearsley but Mr Khan admitted that the advice and guidance given by his independent mentor was one of the most valuable aspects of the process.

Mr Khan (41) said: “The support was really valuable, in a lot of ways it became more important than the money we received.”

Kesan Foods produces a variety of fast food, snacks and ready meals — all with a 100 per cent Halal guarantee.

The company currently serves between 80 and 90 independent stores across the North with wraps, curries, stir fries and sauces.

Mr Khan attended the first birthday celebration of the Oldham Enterprise Fund at Mahdlo — the Oldham youth zone — and spoke about his excitement at the rapid expansion his company has seen as a result of the fund’s help.

He said: “Our business started with one employee but we wanted to expand our product range and look to grow.

“Now we have four members of staff and we are hoping to take on two more fairly soon.”

The Oldham Enterprise Fund was created as a result of a £1million donation by local businessman Norman Stoller and the Stoller Charitable Trust in conjunction with the Get Oldham Working initiative.

The fund has provided numerous grants to local businesses in the past year and Mr Stoller has pledged to plough in another £1million if his original funding runs out.