An Asian sweets specialist has set up a manufacturing hub in Birmingham after securing a six-figure funding package from Barclays.

Midlands-based Mushtaq Sweet Centre, which specialises in sweet and savoury snacks and uses premium ingredients such as 100% buffalo milk, will manufacture products at the new 480sq m Cato Street site to supply its retail outlets in Birmingham and London.

The business previously produced goods on the site of its retail outlets.

Describing the move to the independent hub, owner Mohammed Javaid said: “[This]has freed up space. It has enabled us to improve the retail experience for our customers and manage our manufacturing processed more efficiently. We have recently taken on three more staff to cope with the growing demand for our products.”

Mushtaq Sweet Centre recently introduced organic live butter which is proving popular through online sales, the business said.

Mohammed Fiaz, senior business manager at Barclays in Birmingham, added: “We have enjoyed a relationship with the business for many years and I have enjoyed witnessing the progress made by Mohammed and his team. I am delighted we have been able to fund the purchase of the new, bespoke manufacturing site, which will bring about greater efficiencies in the business and also open up new opportunities within the retail spaces the company has.”