[P]enrith and The Border MP Rory Stewart has selected two local food producers to attend the annual ‘Cumbria Day’ event in The Houses of Parliament on 24th January 2018. The event is now in its third year and aims to provide an opportunity for high-profile business networking in the heart of Westminster.
Cumbria’s six MPs will be co-hosting the event and each has been asked to invite two foodie businesses from their constituency to represent the County and show off their products.
With such a huge number of high quality producers to choose from, Rory ran an online poll, asking constituents to nominate two of their favourite businesses. A total of 18 businesses from across Penrith and The Border received votes, but when the poll closed, Cranston’s and The Toffee Shop had received the most nominations and were asked to attend the event in London.
Neil Boustead of The Toffee Shop, Penrith said: ”I am thrilled to have been invited by Rory Stewart to represent Cumbria’s vibrant food and drink industry at Westminster on Cumbria day, particularly as Rory asked his constituents to nominate their favourite Cumbrian businesses to attend. Cumbria’s food and drink scene is thriving at the moment with both traditional brands like my own and exciting new start-ups. Getting the chance to promote our counties great produce at Westminster is a real privilege.”
Peter Potts of Cranstons Quality Butchers said: ‘’I am excited to have been asked to represent Cranstons and indeed the wider Cumbrian food industry on Westminster’s Cumbria Day. It will be great to showcase Cranstons produce and to talk to MP’s and civil servants about Cumbria’s strong food offer. In my role as Cranstons Retail Manager I am lucky to work with over 50 Cumbrian food and drink businesses all passionately producing great tasting products from traditional products like our own Cumberland sausage, Country Pudding’s sticky toffee pudding and Paddigill Farm’s rum butter to more innovative products like Gingerbread Vodka, Mr Vikki’s fusion pickles and Hawksheads Black Garlic Ketchup. Any event which highlights the strength of Cumbria as a foodie destination is to be applauded.”
Rory Stewart MP said: “Small business and food production both play a crucial part in the Cumbrian economy, and that is why I am so pleased that the Cumbria Day initiative has been such an incredible success. This opportunity to network on a national stage helps Cumbria, and Cumbrian businesses, to connect and grow, and I am thrilled to be taking Neil and Peter to London to be part of that.”
