Lemon Zest specialist food PR agency appointed
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Marketing Lancashire, has appointed specialist food and drink PR agency Lemon Zest PR, to help promote the region’s remarkable food and drink on a national and international level.
The appointment of Lemon Zest forms part of a wider Lancashire Visitor Economy Strategy, which sets out a vision to establish Lancashire as a world class visitor destination with Lancashire’s food and drink offer identified as a key driver to achieving that goal. The new strategy aims to increase visitor numbers to 70 million, increase visitor spend by £650m and support an additional 5000 jobs by 2020.
Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire Ruth Connor said “We have ambitious and exciting plans for Lancashire, with food and drink playing a crucial role in showcasing the county. Lancashire produce is amongst the best in the UK, sourced from our stunning valleys, plains, woodlands and coast; it is distinct, authentic and associated with generations of committed producers whose livelihoods are inextricably linked to our beautiful land and seascapes.
“As a result of this bounty on our doorstep we have a growing collection of some of the finest restaurants and gastro pubs in the country, and a wide range of eating establishments committed to serving highest quality, locally sourced produce.
“Our Lancashire hospitality and welcome is also second to none and together with Lemon Zest, we aim to position the county as a must-visit destination for lovers of great food and authentic culinary experiences, and to increase day and overnight visits that will further boost the food and drink economy.”
Lemon Zest PR has extensive experience across the food and drink sectors, and currently works with Lancashire food store Booths, the trailblazing Tebay & Gloucester motorway services and the Prince’s Countryside Fund, and have also launched regional food groups Delciouslyorkshire and Taste Cumbria.
Lemon Zest’s Managing Director Jennifer Middleton said, “Championing local producers, great places to eat, exceptional farm-shops, delis and must visit ‘foodie destinations’ is at the heart of what we do best. We’re looking to further Marketing Lancashire’s success in creating one of the very first Taste campaigns. Marketing Lancashire have helped grow the sector and gives us a solid platform from which to elevate the county’s food and drink offer further.”
“It is an enormous privilege to now help take Lancashire’s exceptional food and drink to a wider national audience.”
Work has already begun on an event that will bring together food and drink businesses from across the county, to better understand and share the strengths of the sector.
If you are a food business or producer who would like to be involved please contact [email protected]
Picture shows: Jennifer Middleton of Lemon Zest PR
ENDS
For more information on Marketing Lancashire please contact:
Anna Izza, Head of PR and Communications 01772 426 459
Laura Crabb, PR and Communications Executive 01772 426 456
To contact Lemon Zest PR:
Jennifer Middleton on 01757 268283 / 07708 155501
Ellen Howells 01757 268283
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Lancashire visitor numbers and value of food and drink sector
Lancashire welcomes just over 63 million visitors each year who contribute £3.67 to the local economy and support just over 56,000 jobs. Food and drink is worth around £734 million to Lancashire’s visitor economy, accounting for 20% of this tourism revenue and supporting an estimated 12,937 (23%) food and drink related posts within the sector. Its value has risen by £129 million (21%) over the last 6 years, from 2009. (Source: STEAM 2014)
- Taste Lancashire Campaign and accreditation
Taste Lancashire is a dedicated food and drink guide on VisitLancashire.com, the official tourism website for the county, and consumer campaign to promote quality food and drink experiences to the county’s 63million annual visitors. Taste Lancashire also helps raise the profile of local producers and directs visitors to quality establishments that are proud to use local produce, through the celebration of internationally recognised food awards and quality marques, as well as the Taste Lancashire quality accreditation scheme.