07 November 2006
Lancashire puts food and drink on the menu to mark Liverpool's 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations
Lancashire is to focus on food and drink during 2008, in partnership with the Liverpool Culture Company and the European Capital of Culture celebrations, it was announced today by Felicity Goodey, chair of the Tourism Forum for England's Northwest.
Felicity was speaking at World Travel Market in London as Liverpool Culture Company announced its programme for the 2008 celebrations.
In what will be a year-long celebration, Lancashire's growing reputation for locally sourced food and drink and impressive range of eateries will come under the spotlight across a wide range of events, activities and promotions currently being planned.
Lancashire is famed for its shrimps from Morecambe Bay, Lancashire cheeses, Lancashire Hotpot and local meats including Goosnargh Chicken, lamb and beef from the Forest of Bowland and Real Lancashire Black Pudding made in Haslingden. Drinks include the Sarsaparilla herbal drink from Rawtenstall and local beers including Lancaster Bomber and Pendle Witches Brew.
It also has a number of quality eating places including Paul Heathcote's restaurant at Longridge and Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft's Northcote Manor. The Three Fishes at Mitton near Whalley, part of the Northcote Manor group, recently won the title Taste of England's Northwest at the 2006 England's Northwest Tourism Awards.
And Hodgson's chip shop in Lancaster and The Water Witch, also in Lancaster, are currently recognised as the best chip shop and pub in the UK.
Lancashire's 2008 programme, to be announced next year, will build on a number of existing local food and drink festivals including:
• The Northcote Manor Festival of Food and Wine (January)
• Taste Lancashire in Accrington (April)
• North West Food Lovers Festival held at Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green (August)
• Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food and Drink, West Pennine Moors (September)
As well as taking the lead on marketing the food and drink year, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board will be championing up and coming young chefs in its Lancashire Hot Shots initiative, and will be seeking to raise the quality of eating out places in an assessment scheme called Taste Lancashire.
Many of the events planned for 2008 will be in partnership with Made in Lancashire and
Liverpool"s eating venues, with representation from the city expected at farmer"s markets in Lancashire and at many of the county's existing, and well-supported, food festivals.
Lancashire's reputation for its range of local foods and drinks is not surprising considering the county has two areas of outstanding natural beauty - the Forest of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale, as well as 137 miles of coastline including the world famous resort of Blackpool.
A small steering group is now busy devising the 2008 events programme, a logo, campaign website, and agreeing on a range of other marketing materials to produce.
Eating places interested in taking part in the year can register their interest with the tourist board by contacting Kate Roberts on 01257 226618. Interested food and drink suppliers should contact Ella Trickett at Made in Lancashire on 01995 642255.
For further information please contact Adrian Marklew, Communications Executive, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board on 01257 226614 or amarklew@lbtbltd.com.
Notes to Editors
1. Photograph shows Nigel Haworth of Northcote Manor's famous Lancashire Hotpot.
2. For details of Liverpool's 2008 European Capital of Culture celebrations contact Mike Doran, news officer, at Liverpool Culture Company on 0151 233 6761.
3. Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) was set up in April 2004. It supports tourism businesses in the Lancashire and Blackpool area by representing their interests regionally and nationally, by co-ordinating marketing activity, managing and developing the tourism product and working in partnership with industry. Activities in commercial membership, business support, `Welcome to Excellence` training, visitors' services and marketing activity are all designed to improve quality and achieve common goals.
In 2005 the Lancashire and Blackpool area attracted 64 million visitors, who contributed £2.5 billion to the local economy and helped support over 52,000 jobs.
4. Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region's outstanding quality of life
www.nwda.co.uk, www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com
The Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board
Chair Lesley Lloyd
Chief Executive Mike Wilkinson
St. George's House
St.George's Street
Chorley
PR7 2AA
Tel. 01257 226600
Fax. 01257 469016
www.lancashireandblackpool.com