Historic paper mill business, Fourstones Group, has secured £120,000 of funding to diversify the products from its facilities in Hexham, Haydon Bridge and Fife.

Fourstones Paper Mill has been successful in applying for the loan from a legacy pot of funding from Northumberland’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF). The fund, delivered by Advance Northumberland and Northumberland County Council, focused on safeguarding and creating jobs within the rural area of Northumberland.

Established in 1763, Fourstones Paper Mill has a long tradition of manufacturing specialist paper. Products include a paper disposable range which includes centre-feed towel rolls, medical rolls, industrial wipes, and toilet rolls.

The Advance Northumberland strategic account management team has worked with the business to help unlock the funding which will be used to support product diversification opportunities at its Haydon Bridge facility. It intends to replace the current line and diversify products to access a more commercial target market including hotels and will use the loan to purchase equipment.

Fourstones Group managing director, Peter Duxbury, said: “This expansion would have been difficult to do without assistance. We are also delighted to have been able to retain specialist, highly skilled jobs as a result.”

Coun. Richard Wearmouth, chairman of Advance Northumberland, which works on behalf of Northumberland County Council, said: “Fourstones Paper Mill is an historic business and we are delighted it can expand and diversify its range. The retention of skilled jobs and the company’s ongoing continuous investment programme is a tremendous boost to the workforce and manufacturing sector.”