New machinery is set to help a right Royal sausage-maker to find new markets for its products.

Historic Newmarket business Musks – which specialises in making pork sausages and has been a supplier to the Royal Household for generations – has secured a £70k grant from New Anglia Growth hub to set up a second production line.

The company, founded in 1884 by James Musk, recently moved to larger premises in the town.

Now it is branching out from its traditional pork sausages made to a secret recipe by developing non-pork products to enable it to reach new customers.

MORE – Pubs giant ‘takes coffee seriously’ as it partners up with local supplierManaging director Ed Sheen contacted New Anglia Growth Hub about its plans for a new production line.

Growth Hub manager Richard Glinn recommended that the company applied for a grant.

“We are absolutely delighted with the grant,” said Mr Sheen, whose father purchased the firm in the 1970s.

“As a family-owned business this funding has been key to our plans for growth. The Growth Hub’s support was so important to us and our adviser was clearly very experienced working with small businesses like Musks.”

Mr Glynn said the company’s plans to increase production was “a great story” for Newmarket and the county of Suffolk, which was noted for its large variety of high-quality food production.

“The Newmarket Sausage was awarded Protected Geographical Indicator of Origin (PGI) status in 2012 and Musks is one of the company’s maintaining that tradition. The award of this grant shows that tradition and growth can work ‘hand in hand’,” he said.

“It is very pleasing to have been able to provide support to Ed and his colleagues.”

Musks currently produces around 4.25m sausages each year.

The new line of products will enable it to employ four more staff, and the company aims to double production in six months.

To find out how New Anglia Growth Hub could help your business, call 0300 333 6536 or email growthhub@newanglia.co.uk