The Pattyman, a Cardiff-based artisan food firm, has secured a £50,000 microloan from the Development Bank of Wales to scale up production of its Jamaican-inspired produce. The funding will help the business meet growing customer and trade demand for its range of products, which includes award-winning Red Pepper Jelly, sauces, relishes, jerk marinades, rum punch and Jamaican patties.
From Home Venture to Industrial Estate
Founded by Leroy Williams in 2021, The Pattyman began as a home-based venture inspired by his late parents – a father from the Windrush generation and a mother from the Valleys. Drawing on traditional family recipes, Mr Williams set out to create a food business that celebrates both sides of his heritage through authentic Jamaican-inspired products influenced by Welsh culture and identity.
Operating from Tremorfa Industrial Estate, the business produces a range of artisan products while supplying customers directly and serving wholesale and trade markets across Wales and beyond. At the heart of the brand is the Welsh concept of cynefin, meaning a sense of belonging and connection to place.
Funding to Boost Capacity and Growth
Mr Williams said: “The Pattyman started as a way of honouring my parents and celebrating the cultures that shaped me. My dad came to Wales as part of the Windrush generation and my mum was from the Welsh Valleys, so I wanted to create something that brought those parts of my identity together.
“Food has always been about family, community and connection. Every recipe has a story behind it and every product reflects the traditions that were passed down to me.
“This investment gives us the platform to build on what we’ve achieved so far. It will help us increase capacity, support future growth and continue sharing the flavours and heritage that make the Pattyman unique with more customers.”
The £50,000 microloan comes from the Development Bank of Wales, which is financed by the Welsh Government. The bank’s £500m Wales Flexible Investment Fund supports Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years, offering loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments from £25,000 to £10m.
Support for Distinctive Welsh Businesses
Dylan Evans, assistant investment executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “The Pattyman is a great example of a Welsh business with a distinctive proposition, strong values and clear growth ambitions. Leroy has built a brand that stands out through the quality of its products and the story behind them.
“Businesses like the Pattyman demonstrate how smaller investments can make a meaningful difference when it comes to increasing capacity, developing operations and supporting sustainable growth. We look forward to supporting Leroy as he takes the business forward.”
The investment will enable The Pattyman to increase production capacity and support future growth, allowing the business to continue sharing its unique flavours and heritage with more customers across Wales and beyond.
