Food sector fights for cash help

LEADERS of Yorkshire's £8bn food and drink industry have urged the Government to continue to provide funding to help maintain growth in the UK's biggest manufacturing sector.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Nov 2010, 14:57 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2010, 14:58 BST

Cath Clelland, new chairwoman of the regional food group, deliciouslyorkshire, said the sector needs financial support for the small businesses "which are such a focus for our coalition Government".

The group, which has 650 SME members, is to lose its 1m-a-year public income at the end of this financial year following the Government decision to axe regional development agencies such as Yorkshire Forward.

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Speaking at the deliciouslyorkshire awards, Ms Clelland said the group will apply to the new 1.4bn regional growth fund, which will be open to bids from public and private sector projects aimed at job creation.

She said: "These are certainly 'interesting times' – but ones that I believe hold a significant opportunity for deliciouslyorkshire to become a real force to improve the economic wellbeing of our rural communities in Yorkshire."

The awards dinner was attended by leading industry figures including Bernard Hoggarth, chief executive of Cranswick, Rosemary Schrager, the celebrity chef, and Judy Bell, CEO of cheesemaker Shepherds Purse.

Ms Schrager said food is "the soul of Yorkshire". She added: "It's not just the food; it's what goes on behind it. The love, the passion, the dedication and the hard work with long hours, early mornings and late nights."

Related topics:GovernmentYorkshire