In March 1962 there was a meeting with thirty one meat producers and representatives from the government and it was decided to build a meat research institute, costing around £500,000 and annual running costs of around £100,000.

[2] The first director was appointed in February 1963, before the building construction had begun, who came from the Low Temperature Research Station in Cambridge.

In October 1966, a new £1m Food Research Institute was announced to be built at Norwich, similarly next to the university.

The Queen,[3] with the Duke of Northumberland and Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort, officially opened the new institute on 19 April 1968,[4] also opening new buildings of the veterinary school next door.

It was situated next to the Langford House School of Veterinary Science, on the B3133 (for Congresbury), north of the A38.