SUPPORT MEASURES ANNOUNCED FOR NORTHWEST FINE FOOD PRODUCERS

Food Northwest announces initial support package following the voluntary liquidation of North West Fine Foods Ltd

Food Northwest, the organisation set up to lead the food and drink industry and to help to grow the region’s economy, has stepped in with a support package to help local food producers affected by the closure of North West Fine Foods Ltd.

North West Fine Foods went into voluntary liquidation on June 27, 2008. The organisation was a private company, limited by shares, owned by and dedicated to supporting fine food producers in the region. It was set up in 1994, and organised a wide range of events and campaigns to promote regionally-produced food and drink products. The 200-plus food businesses that made up its membership have been informed of the situation and Crewe-based insolvency specialist, Mackenzie Goldberg Johnson, has been appointed to handle the liquidation.

In the meantime, Food Northwest, in consultation with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), has agreed immediate measures to support the producers affected, including the creation of a new membership package. Previous North West Fine Foods members can now join Food Northwest’s own membership scheme, as part of a newly-created special interest group called ‘Fine Food Northwest’. The organisation is offering a 50 percent discount on membership, at £100.00 for the first year and will provide a wide range of benefits for speciality producers, ranging from promotional opportunities and events to market intelligence and networking.

Food Northwest is in discussion with the liquidators with a view to taking over exhibition space booked by North West Fine Foods at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair, at London’s Olympia in September.  It has already agreed to take over sponsorship of the ‘Best Speciality from the North West’ award, part of the Great Taste Awards 2008, which will take place as part of the event.

Further discussions are underway between Food Northwest and its partner organisations regarding potential support for both producers and suppliers.  This includes rescue packages for the North West Fine Food Awards and the Young Chef of the Year competition, along with a continuation of the successful Food Lovers Guide to the region.  Results are expected to be announced later this month.

Patricia Foreman, chief executive of Food Northwest, said; “Everyone in the food sector has been disappointed by the loss of North West Fine Foods, which worked very hard and very successfully to promote the world-class producers we have here in the North West. Food Northwest is working hard to make sure that future support for regional products builds on the legacy of its work and we intend to work more proactively with speciality producers as part of our work championing the whole food and drink sector.

“We have worked intensively with our Board and the NWDA to put an initial support package in place for those affected, and will continue to build on this over the next weeks and months.”

Food Northwest has employed Darren Hill, formerly events and project manager at North West Fine Foods, on an interim contract until March 2009 and Darren will maintain contact with producers in order to establish and manage the new Fine Food Northwest membership package.

For further information contact:  Gianna Molica-Franco  Tel: 01928 511011 
Issued: August 4, 2008

Notes for Editors

Enquiries re the Voluntary Liquidation of North West Fine Foods
 For further information regarding the liquidation of North West Fine Foods, please contact Simon Atkins at Mackenzie Goldberg Johnson. Telephone: 0845 680 0315.

The New ‘Fine Food Northwest’ membership package
 Membership is open to businesses based in the Northwest region, (defined as the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside), which fulfil the following criteria:

Membership benefits include:

For companies with a turnover of less than £10 million an additional benefit is provided:

 

Food Northwest
 Food Northwest aims to maintain and grow a profitable and sustainable agri-food and drink sector within the region, through a coordinated strategy, driven by the industry itself, using expertise, innovation, influence and collaborative working. It was established in April 2007 and builds on the work of the Northwest Food Alliance, Seafood Northwest and the Northwest Fantastic Foods Partnership.

It simplifies support for businesses and brings the existing food industry support organisations under its direction, providing a clear voice for the development of the sector and providing a focal point for the industry.  Food Northwest, with its partners, aims to help businesses in the sector maximise their economic potential and increase productivity and output, working with all parts of the sector, including food retail and service, wholesale, distribution, food processing and agriculture.

The organisation is coordinating a five-year Northwest Food and Drink strategy, which has six priorities, focusing on the key themes of market development, productivity and skills, healthy eating, environmental sustainability, sustainable farming and food, and the image of the industry.

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:


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