Friday 30 May 2014

ANOTHER AWARD FOR RJ HIRST!


Esteemed Woodhall Spa butchers, Russell and Sadie Hirst added yet another award to their ever expanding prize cabinet as they picked up the Bronze Award in the Pasty Class for their Beef Pasty.

The pie was one of 825 pies judged in 19 categories by 108 food experts and celebrity chefs.

Sadie said: "We are thrilled to have won an award in this prestigious national competition. It feel fantastic to have been recognised. We work considerably hard to make sure the products are as good as they can be. The produce that we put forward for competitions is exactly the same as we sell in our shop."

R J Hirst Family Butcher's are currently working to create a number of authentic 1940's products for the upcoming Woodhall Spa 1940's Weekend in July.

What next for the Hirsts? The upcoming Poacher Awards which will be help at the Lincolnshire Showground later this year. We await the event with bated breath!

You can find more information, including a video interview with Sadie on the Horncastle News website.

Thursday 29 May 2014

"IT'S A BUGS LIFE!" - A HALF TERM BUG ADVENTURE AT PINK PIG FARM

Grab your magnifying glasses and your wellies - Pink Pig Farm are going on a bug hunt!

In Tangled Wood there are lots of insects and bug facts to be found. Our chief insect investigator Andrew, is introducing his creepy crawly friends in his 'Learn All About Bugs' sessions, everyday from 11am-12pm. Andrew's got stick insects, giant African land snails, a Johannesburg miomantis and all sorts!

After the big adventure, enjoy bug buns and butterfly cakes in the Oink cafe (much yummier than snails!)


The event finishes on Sunday 1st July, so head on down before it's too late!

THE NPD FOOD CONFERENCE


The NPD Food Conference will take place on Wednesday 9th July at the Kingsgate Conference Centre, Peterborough. The theme is "From Kitchen concept to Supermarket shelf"

A successful food dish requires a great recipe, and a great chef, but getting your product on to supermarket shelves requires a few more ingredients.

Featuring keynote speakers from across the food industry the NPD Food Conference cover the whole development process from kitchen concept to supermarket shelf.

The speakers bring years of experience in the food sector together under one roof and whether you are looking to expand your range, develop new markets or set out for the first time,  this conference will have something for you.

Topics to be covered include:


  • The practical aspects of taking your product from kitchen to production line and scales
  • Ensuring you have all the legal boxes ticked before issues arise
  • How design and branding can play a key part in the success of your product
  • Harnessing the power of PR and social media
  • Standing out to the multiples - getting on the shelf and driving sales
You can reserve your place at this half day conference today for just £39+VAT.

To book your place and request an invoice (no booking fee), please click here.

To book and pay online with Eventbrite (incurs a booking fee of £2.99), click here.

For further information, please contact Mark Dodds via email, or Carolyn Lake via email, or phone 01775 842500.

The conference takes place on Wednesday 9th July, 8.30am-2.00pm.

Friday 23 May 2014

THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO ‘POP IN’ TO ‘POP UP SHOP’ FOR LOCAL FOOD & DRINK

Award winning local produce is taking centre stage at a Pop Up Shop in Skegness over the Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May 2014).

Address - Briar Way, Skegness PE25 3NR, 01754 764899
Opening times - Saturday 9am to 5pm | Sunday 10am to 4pm | Bank Holiday Monday 9am to 5pm


Poacher Cheese

Building on the success of the first one in March which attracted nearly a thousand people, organisers have decided to host a second one at the end of May.

From melt in the mouth chocolates and creamy artisan cheese; through to fruity Plum Bread, award winning sausages, smoked Grimsby fish and real tea and coffee – there is something for everyone.

Boston Sausage

The three day event, which is being organised by Lincolnshire County Council's Select Lincolnshire for Food project, will run from Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May in Units 6a and 9 at Hildreds Shopping Centre, Skegness.

The Pop Up Shop will see two empty retail units in the shopping centre filled with stalls by Select Lincolnshire for Food members.

Businesses attending include Boston Sausage, Modens bakery, Chapmans Fish Cakes, Spire Chocolates, Sweet Heat Chilli, Dennetts Ice Cream and Jenny’s Jams.

Spire Chocolates
Councillor Davie, from Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We're passionate about county food and drink, and are doing all we can to get the message out. This is the ideal opportunity for people to sample some of the finest produce Lincolnshire has to offer, and find out why we're Britain's favourite food spot.

"It's also a great way for us to give our local businesses a boost, which is good news for the wider economy as well. And I'm sure this event will be even more successful than the first."


Centre manager at Hildreds Shopping Centre, Steve Andrews, added: “Lincolnshire businesses are starting to put the storm clouds of the recession behind them and feeling optimistic about the future.
“The last event was a huge success. I was totally blown away with the number of shoppers to the

Hildreds in March. We saw a 34 per-cent increase in footfall on the first day of the Pop Up Shop opening and a 37 per-cent increase the next day, nearly all bought products from more than one stall. Boston Sausage sold out of all its stock and Modens had to raid their shop to fulfil demand!

“We are really keen to expand upon the event’s popularity which is why we have added a further unit for the May event.”

Gillian Richardson, business development manager at Select Lincolnshire for Food, said: “We are very excited about next month’s event. It is back by popular demand from local residents and reinforces excellence in Lincolnshire produce. Visitors to the pop up shops can expect to see their favourite producers from the last event plus some new additions. Together with the Hildreds Shopping Centre and the council we are always working hard to support local artisans and our food heritage, celebrate local produce and bring a fresh offering to the people of Skegness. The quality and diversity of the food on offer is always exceptional.”

Address - Briar Way, Skegness PE25 3NR, 01754 764899
Opening times - Saturday 9am to 5pm | Sunday 10am to 4pm | Bank Holiday Monday 9am to 5pm

For more information about Select Lincolnshire for Food visit www.selectlincolnshire.com

Select Lincolnshire members that are attending include:
Boston Sausage
Modens Bakery
Poacher Cheese
Sweet Heat Chilli
Spire Chocolates
Ownsworths Rapeseed Oil
Dennetts Ice Cream
Angels Desserts
Smiths Smokery
Bizzibees
Woodlands Organic Farm
Jennys Jams
Goat Wood Dairy
Real Tea and Coffee Co 
Cookie Kitchen 

Thursday 22 May 2014

COULD YOU SUPPORT PRESS TRIPS?


Over the next year the Lincolnshire Chamber will be arranging press trip for regional and national travel journalists – and we’d like you to get involved.

With the launch of Lincoln Castle Revealed, and the 800th anniversary of Maga Carta next year, an international spotlight will be on Lincoln and Lincolnshire.

Charlotte Goy, from the Lincolnshire Chamber’s press office is already working with travel jouranlsits to ensure a buzz is created among the media and visitors in the run up to 2015.

What are we looking for?

Journalists love goodie bags and hampers to experience local produce for themselves. So if you have a product that we can pop in – please let us know!

Whilst in the city and county, we are make restaurant and café reservations for visiting journalists. So if you can offered discounted rates, or a complementary booking, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

What do you get in return?

Any business that support a media trip is automatically included in the press pack of information, and we always encourage the journalist the name check businesses in the fact box at the end of the article.

Although we cannot guarantee it, we know from past experience that if a journalist has a good time at a specific venue they will most likely include an endorsement of it in the final article. And a good word from a respected journalist can do wonders for your business.

Get involved
For more information or to speak to Charlotte about offering something for media trips please call 01522 846925 or email Charlotte.Goy@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk

Visit Lincoln & Visit Lincolnshire

The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce visitor economy project for the city is called Visit Lincoln. But the Chamber also works in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council’s Visit Lincolnshire project which represents the whole county.

Wednesday 21 May 2014

AMBITIOUS PLANS SET OUT FOR COUNTY’S FOOD INDUSTRY

www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk

The food and farming sector in Greater Lincolnshire will double its contribution to the economy by 2030 by investing in skills, knowledge and production capacity.

That’s the ambitious target set out in a new plan for the region’s agri-food sector which has now been published by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Greater Lincolnshire Agri-food Sector Plan 2014-2020 confirms Greater Lincolnshire as a market leader in the agri-food sector, pointing out that 10% of English agriculture, 5% of UK food processing jobs and 70% of the UK fish processing sector are in Greater Lincolnshire.

The plan says the prospects for future growth are very positive, with large future increases in global demand projected; but the agri-food sector in Greater Lincolnshire faces a number of challenges and needs a clear and ambitious strategic plan if it is to sustain its market-leading position.

The document sets out a three-point vision for the area:
  • Reinforce Greater Lincolnshire’s status as the national centre for high value agri-food production
  • Increase the sector’s GVA (gross value added) by 25% per employee GVA by 2020
  • Grow sector output by 30% through import substitution and export-led growth
By 2030 the Greater Lincolnshire agri-food sector will have:
  • Doubled output and GVA
  • Increased employment by over 10% and GVA per employee by over 75%
  • Exploited motorway links to the Midlands, London and the south-east to replace 10% of UK manufactured food imports with Lincolnshire produce
  • Trebled exports of food and drink from the Greater Lincolnshire area by servicing markets in northern Europe and emerging economies
Among the plan’s recommendations are the creation of an industry-led Food Board, a new sector skills plan, a 25-year water supply plan to support food production and investment in transport infrastructure.

“Greater Lincolnshire is fortunate to be home to the UK’s largest and most progressive food sector, with dynamic businesses and well developed supply chains,” said Mark Tinsley, a south Lincolnshire arable farmer and sector lead for the plan at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

“Our agri-food sector is truly a national leader in this rapidly growing sector, but we must not rest on our laurels. The coming decades will bring many challenges and it’s important that Greater Lincolnshire is ready to face them.

“Our plan for the agri-food sector in Greater Lincolnshire is ambitious, but we are confident that it is achievable.”

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP will soon be sending the plan to agri-food and related businesses in the area and welcomes feedback.

A new brochure promoting the area’s food industry and related businesses such as logistics and packaging will also be published soon.


For more information visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk

FENBAKE LAUNCH TASTY OATIES IN LINCOLNSHIRE COOP COFFEE SHOP AT LONG SUTTON

Fenbake Oaties
Did you know that you can now buy Fenbake’s Oaties in the Co-op Coffee Shop at  Long Sutton?

The deliciously healthy oatie biscuits were launched in April this year – and they are proving pretty popular with the shoppers!

Fenbake’s Oaties are made with no artificial colors or flavours, in a small bakery nestled in the heart of the Lincolnshire Fenlands.

The individually wrapped (or if you are feeling hungry you can also buy them in multipacks too) offer a wholesome, tasty oat snack  made with locally sourced ingredients.

As well as the Long Sutton Co-op Coffee Shop, you can buy them in Lincoln Cathedral Café plus local farm shops.

Fenbake also runs fun teaching classes too. Youbake is a brand new arm to Fenbake, which is run in a new kitchen.

The idea for Youbake came during a party in the middle of July. And now, it is organising ‘after school’ baking groups for children aged 5 to 11 years.

For more information visit: www.fenbake.com

Follow Fenbake on Facebook

Follow Fenbake on Twitter


MEMBERS MEETING - 29 JULY

Don't forget to book your space at our next Select Lincolnshire for Food members meeting.

What topic would you like it to cover?
We want every member meeting to be as useful and informative as possible for you, so we'd welcome your feedback on what topics you'd like us to discuss. Are you interested in legislation or labeling laws? Logistics or training. Let us know, and we'll organise the rest. 

The next Member Meeting will be:
Tuesday 29 July 
2pm – 4pm.
A chance for businesses to engage with Select Lincolnshire to ensure they make the most of the member benefits. There will also be the opportunity to pose questions and hear about upcoming projects that businesses can get involved in.

For more information or to book please email Gillian.Richardson@lincs-chamber.co.uk

Monday 19 May 2014

800 LINCOLNITES AND YELLOW BELLIES NEEDED


Lincolnites, Yello-bellies and anyone who knows Lincoln and Lincolnshire are invited to take part in the survey. There are 8 questions about our local area - and no wring or right answers. We simply want to know what you think about things like our heritage, symbols of Lincolnshire and how we welcome people.

You can take part in The Lincoln 800 Survey at www.visitlincoln.com/the-lincoln-800-survey 

2015 is an important year for Lincoln and Lincolnshire. It is the 800th Anniversary of 1215 King John Magna Carta - an original version is owned by Lincoln Cathedral and from 2015 will be displayed at the newly refurbished Lincoln Castle. Lincoln will be THE place to mark the Magna Carta anniversary. 

2015 will also see Lincoln play host to the National Cycling Championships in June and a new Bomber Command memorial will be erected on Canwick Hill.

These are just some of the internationally significant events taking place in Lincoln next year.

To maximise on these events, Visit Lincoln and partners will be promoting Lincoln to a national and International audience to bring in more visitors into the area - growing the regions visitor economy.

To help inform the marketing of this significant year and the opening of Lincoln Castle Revealed in 2015, Visit Lincoln Partnership have launched the 'Lincoln 800 Survey'.

Lincolnites, Yello-bellies and anyone who knows Lincoln and Lincolnshire are invited to take part in the survey. There are 8 questions about our local area - and no wring or right answers. We simply want to know what you think about things like our heritage, symbols of Lincolnshire and how we welcome people.

Visit Lincoln are working in partnership with local branding agency BrandThing on this project - the responses of the survey will then be used to shape a creative and innovative marketing campaign for the city.

Emma Tatlow, Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager said '2015 provides a significant opportunity to put Lincoln and Lincolnshire 'on the map' - the combination of events next year provide us with a once in a generation opportunity to raise much needed awareness of what this area has to offer. Not only to leisure visitors, but to the travel trade, media and business visitors. Working with Visit Lincoln partners and BrandThing, we are going to be spending the coming months carefully planning an exciting and high profile marketing campaign for the area.'

You can take part in The Lincoln 800 Survey at www.visitlincoln.com/the-lincoln-800-survey

The deadline is 22nd May.

Thursday 15 May 2014

FOOD MANUFACTURERS - IMPROVE YOUR RESOURCE EFFICENCY


On Tuesday 20th May, SustainLincolnshire will be offering FREE help for small businesses.

The event will take place at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at the University of Lincoln, Holbeach Campus.

The session begins at 9.00am with registration; a chance to network and enjoy a breakfast roll.

From 9.30am, the real fun begins with an Introduction from Richard Turner from the University of Lincoln, leading straight into four presentations:

9.35am - How Resource efficient is your business? Demonstration of measurement equipment on free loan to small food manufacturers - Richard Turner

9.45am - Free advice on resource efficiency from PECT: find out how to get it - Andrew Jackson, PECT Consultancy Ltd

10.15am - Keep it legal: food product labelling rules and regulations - Linda McWatt, NCFM

10.30am - Tap into innovation funding from the Technology Strategy Board: £50k won by NCFM for local small food companies so far. Find out how to boost funding for your business. - Richard Turner

10.45am - Discussion

The event is on Tuesday 20th May, 9.00am - 11.00am in the Conference Suite, National Centre for Food Manufacturing, University of Lincoln, Park Road, Holbeach, PE12 7PT.

If you would like to book a free place at this event, please contact Sue Long via email or phone 01406 493000.


Tuesday 13 May 2014

HISTORIC FOODS: NUMBLE OR UMBLE PIE?

Flickr: Tim Parkinson 

In the first of our Historic foods feature, we take a look at the age old argument; Numble or Umble pie? This issue caused quite a debate here at the Select Lincolnshire office, so an investigation was called, and here are the findings...

Umbles are the meaty parts of a beast's pluck; the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs, usually of a deer but also of other animals.

It is not at all clear whether the phrase "to eat humble pie" which as we know means "to be very submissive" is connected, other than in the sound of the words, to Umble Pie. There is some speculation that Umbles were a lower-class food, so anyone who ate a pie of them was a humble and inferior person. This also could hold true today, as we hold offal in disdain and sell it off cheap, but kidneys, tripe and the rest were sometimes thought to be amongst the best bits. Contradictory, huh?

"Umble" appears to come, via Norman French, from the Latin "lumb" meaning "loins", whereas "humble" comes from "humilem" meaning "lowly".

What conclusions do you draw from this?

We want to hear from you! Do you have any historic food stories for us? Maybe an old Lincolnshire recipe, or an old war food legend. Contact Loryn Good with your historic food facts! Email loryn.good@lincs-chamber.co.uk

Monday 12 May 2014

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: OWNSWORTHS RAPESEED OIL IN NATIONAL MASSAGE DAY

Friday 16th May is National Massage Day! It is aimed at helping our society understand the positive effects of touch and massage. Gill Tree, founder of the UK's leading massage school Essential for Health, says "Touch is instinctive and natural. It is part of human nature and yet we as a society remain inhibited. We also perceive massage as a luxury rather than a necessary treatment for a healthy lifestyle. With media impressing on us almost daily the negative effect of inappropriate touch, we are failing to recognise the negative effect of not touching."

Rapeseed oil is fast becoming a favourite amongst aromatherapists and massage experts as a wonderful lubricant for massage, so we asked Select Lincolnshire Grower of the Year runner up 2014 Ownsworth's to tell us about the health and cost benefits of using Rapeseed oil.

Ownsworth's Rapeseed Oil
Ownsworth’s award winning home-grown rapeseed oil is grown from oilseed rape planted on our family farm in Lincolnshire. The seed is then cold pressed and bottled by us in our specially designed Pressing Shed providing total traceability for this high quality oil.

Rapeseed oil is high in omegas 3, 6 and 9, vitamin K and contains a good amount of anti-oxidant Vitamin E, which is a powerful lipid soluble anti-oxidant. Vitamin E is perfect for softening and nourishing your skin especially when having a relaxing massage and gentle enough for a baby’s skin.

Rapeseed oil makes a perfect carrier oil for the extensive range of fabulous smelling and health promoting aromatherapy essential oils which are readily available from either your local chemist or your aromatherapist (see local press Yellow Pages for listings).

Unlike some of the other carrier oils available, rapeseed oil remains extremely good value for money as well as containing all the vitamin E rich and skin softening properties.  Not to mention rapeseed oil from the UK is local, has no air miles and is supporting the British farming industry - thus putting money back into the local and national economy!



Benefits of choosing rapeseed oil over other carrier oils? 
  • high in omegas 3.6 & 9, rich in vitamin K & vitamin E.  
  • Rapeseed Oil contains 10 times the amount of omega 3 found in olive oil.  
  • Ownsworth’s Rapeseed Oil has a shelf life of at least 2 years and is free from chemicals, preservatives and has had no heat treatment, is paraben and synthetic free.  Just pure and natural!
Other carrier oils:
  • Jojoba (one of the most expensive unscented oils and can feel slimy afterwards)
  • Grapeseed Oil (not a fixative so you have to blend with another oil)
  • Sweet Almond Oil (not advisable if you have a nut allergy)
  • Apricot Oil (expensive)
  • Coconut Oil (can feel greasy after a massage and all those airmiles!)
  • Baby Oil (contains petroleum which clog up the pores and make it difficult for the skin to breath)

There’s lot of information out there on the internet on all the oils and especially rapeseed oil so have a look and see for yourself.

So for a high quality, fully traceable oil which has all the qualities you look for in a good massage oil and at a price to suit all budgets, why not take a good look at using our rapeseed oil.  Lots of the larger beauty and cosmetic businesses are already using, and shouting about the fabulous properties of rapeseed oil (see www.Liz Earle.co.uk).   

We visit Clinical Aromatherapist Paula from Paula Hinton Aromatherapy at Allington near Grantham www.paulahintonaromatherapy.co.uk and her feedback on using our oil for massage is-:

"Ownsworth Rapeseed oil has become a firm favorite of mine for all types of massage. With its mellow yellow hue, this virtually odourless oil provides a light clean feel that glides smoothly over the skin making it a perfect choice of carrier oil for aromatherapy massage.

Hailed as the ‘British olive oil’ rapeseed oil is high in antioxidants which help to protect the skin against the main causes of skin ageing, such as ultra violet light, radiation and air pollutants. Its high content of Vitamin A promotes cell division and helps protect the skins cells against UV radiation.

This highly emollient oil is a great choice for facial use too. With the addition of tiny amounts of essential oils; such as wrinkle fighting Frankincense or skin calming Roman chamomile; a tailor made skin oil can be created. Used daily rapeseed oil can brighten, soothe and protect the skin."

In addition to all this the fact that Ownsworth rapeseed oil is grown and cold pressed just down the road from me adds to its allure. Along with its local provenance I love knowing how the oil was obtained, using as little processing as possible, so keeping all its nutrients intact.’

Contact Andrew or “Ronnie” (Veronica) Ownsworth the husband and wife team behind the family farm and Ownsworth’s Rapeseed Oil on 01400 273989 or visit the website on www.ownsworths.co.uk.  We supply our rapeseed oil in handy 250ml and 500ml glass bottles and 5 litre and 25 litre cans for the aromatherapy or massage businesses looking for a quality British oil.



Thursday 8 May 2014

HARROGATE SPECIALITY FOOD SHOW


When: 22nd - 23rd June

Where: Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate

What: Speciality Food Show, Harrogate brings together over 150 exhibitors each year from the UK and overseas. Every year it features greattastelive!, the Guild of Fine Food's live, interactive theatre of teach-ins and workshops.

Why: At this year’s Harrogate Speciality Food Show we have secured a Select Lincolnshire members only area! The Guild of Fine Food is offering preferential rates to any business who have not exhibited at the Harrogate show before, and you will find the rates attached along with a floor plan highlighting the Select Lincolnshire area. It would be great to showcase all that Lincolnshire has to offer the buyers with a united and supportive front! (This area can be extended depending on interest).

Can't attend - we'll take your leaflets
On the Select Lincolnshire for Food stand we can display member leaflets and information. So if you'd like us to represent you at the show, please email Gillian.Richardson@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk.


ARE YOU CELEBRATING LINCOLNSHIRE DAY?

Event: Lincolnshire Day

When:
1st October

Where: City Square, Lincoln

What: Stall holders will once again be invited to Lincolnshire Day in City Square.

Why: Book your place in one of the city's busiest areas and show what produce Lincolnshire has to be proud of! The opportunity to sell to the Lincoln public in a vibrant and active area.
Email Gillian at gillian.richardson@lincs-chamber.co.uk to register your interest as places are they are limited. Minimal pitch charge.

Price: Stalls are available at £20+vat for the day.

LOOK OUT FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Over the next few weeks we’ll be sending out membership renewal forms and invoices.

We’ll also be sending you information about new member benefits for the forth-coming year.

If you have a question about membership, please contact Gillian.Richardson@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk

£2MILLION FUNDING AVAILABLE TO LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESSES

If you would like to know how your business could benefit from the new funding, please contact the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce on 01522 523333 or email Simon.Beardsley@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk.  

Greater Lincolnshire has been awarded a £2 million RGF bid to support local businesses to grow and reach their full potential.
Simon Beardsley, CEO Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce
The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce has been successful in bidding for the Regional Growth Fund award, following support from the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Lincolnshire County Council.

The pot of money, called the Greater Lincolnshire Business Capital Growth Fund, is a capital grant programme which will provide grant funding on a competitive basis and support for businesses in preparing an application.

Grants ranging between £10,000 and £250,000 will be available to local businesses and inward investors who can demonstrate sound business growth investment proposals linked to significant job creation. It is expected the programme will create 234 direct jobs and 66 supply chain jobs, as well as safeguarding 63 existing positions.

Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said he is delighted with the award. “We have been listening hard to what our members and county businesses have been saying about the challenges they face accessing business finance,” he said.

“As a result we have actively searched for new funding streams that will help address the problem. This news will be most welcome to companies that have high growth potential but need financial support to make the next move.

“The dedicated business advisor will be beneficial to SMEs who have growth potential but may have been put off in the past by the amount of paperwork needed to benefit from such a scheme.

“Through the RGF funds, our emphasis will be on helping Greater Lincolnshire companies grow and develop, which in turn will create new jobs and support the local economy. And giving businesses access to finance which will support their capital expenditure aspirations will also put them on a level playing field with other regions of the UK that have benefited from this support in the past.”

Cllr Colin Davie from the LEP board added: “This funding will support local businesses to grow and reach their full potential by financing things such as a move to a bigger premises or investment in new plant machinery and equipment. It is an opportunity for our region to continue to grow and be known as a place to do business.”

The programme will be managed by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce with support from the LEP, Lincolnshire County Council and the FSB.

If you would like to know how your business could benefit from the new funding, please contact the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce on 01522 523333 or email Simon.Beardsley@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk

For more information on the Greater Lincolnshire LEP visit www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk or follow @GreaterLincsLEP on Twitter.

DEMAND FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS RETURNS TO HILDREDS!

Join us – there are still a few vacancies for our next Select Lincolnshire Pop Up Shop at the end of May, in Skegness. Find out more and book your stall by emailing Gillian.Richardson@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk

Back by popular demand Select Lincolnshire members will be returning to Hildreds Shopping Centre with their freshly made produce for shoppers to sample and purchase.

A three day Pop Up Shop will launch on Saturday 24 May and run over the Bank Holiday until Monday 26 May.


It is being organised by Lincolnshire County Council's Select Lincolnshire for Food project. Units 6a and 9 in Hildreds Shopping Centre will be transformed in a series of ‘Pop Up Shops’ where local producers including Boston Sausage, Modens Lincolnshire Plum Bread, Spire Chocolates, Sweet Heat Chilli, Dennetts Ice Cream and Jenny’s Jams amongst others will set up their stalls.


The shops will be officially opened at 11am on Saturday 24th May by Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at the council.

Councillor Davie said: "We're passionate about county food and drink, and are doing all we can to get the message out. This is the ideal opportunity for people to sample some of the finest produce Lincolnshire has to offer, and find out why we're Britain's favourite food spot.


"It's also a great way for us to give our local businesses a boost, which is good news for the wider economy as well. And I'm sure this event will be even more successful than the first."

Centre manager, Steve Andrews, added: “Lincolnshire businesses are starting to put the storm clouds of the recession behind them and feeling optimistic about the future and The Hildreds with Select Lincolnshire is putting them in touch with new customers.

“The last event of this kind was a huge success. I was totally blown away with the number of shoppers to the Hildreds in March. We saw a 34 percent increase in footfall on the first day of the pop up shop opening and a 37 percent increase the next day, nearly all bought products from more than one stall. Boston Sausage sold out of all its stock and Modens had to raid their shop to fulfil demand!

“We are really keen to expand upon the event’s popularity which is why we have added a further unit for the May event.”

Gillian Richardson, business development manager at Select Lincolnshire for Food, said: “We are very excited about next month’s event. It is back by popular demand from local residents and reinforces excellence in Lincolnshire produce. Visitors to the pop up shops can expect to see their favourite producers from the last event plus some new additions. Together with the Hildreds Shopping Centre and the council we are always working hard to support local artisans and our food heritage, celebrate local produce and bring a fresh offering to the people of Skegness. The quality and diversity of the food on offer is always exceptional.”

Centre manager, Steve Andrews, added: “We are always happy to offer a safe retail environment from which independent producers can operate from. It gives them a taste of what it is like to make that step from farm shop or market stall in to the world as a retail operator in a busy shopping centre in the heart of the town; and what better place than the Hildreds.”

For more information about joining the Pop Up Shop email Gillian.Richardson@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk

For more information on the Hildreds Shopping Centre call 01754 764899 or visit www.hildredsshoppingcentre.co.uk

FARMER DONATES SURPLUS CROP TO FOOD CHARITY



Lincolnshire leek farmer, and new Select Lincolnshire member, Tim Casey of J&V Casey and Son has teamed up with food waste campaigners to harvest surplus crops and donate them to local charities.

Tim, who farms at Dogdyke near Boston spoke to Farmers Weekly about his decision to join forces with the charity The Gleaning Network.

Story credit - Farmers Weekly Website.

MANOR FARM SHOP IS THE BEST SMALL UK FARMSHOP 2014


Manor Farm Shop won FARMA's Best Small UK Farm Shop 2014 at their annual black tie dinner in February at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire with finalists coming from as far as Wales and Scotland.

A trophy was presented to the Select Lincolnshire member on the evening, where finalists were unaware of the winners until the actual announcement.

Talking about Manor Farm Shop, Mike Blee, the awards judge said: "The rustic exterior becomes a light, bright and colourful experience inside the shop. The farm's own produce is superb with carefully selected local products alongside. Smashing."
Press coverage of the award win in Lincolnshire Pride magazine.
Manor Farm Shop is a family run farm in Swineshead, Boston. The award has raised the profile of the shop as customer numbers have increased and there has been a marked increase in Lincolnshire based producers wishing to supply the shop.

The Moses family team have taken great care over sourcing foods from the region. With quality front-of-mind, they support local producers first from crisp producers to flour, reducing food-miles and also enabling small businesses and other farms in the region to benefit from the farm shop's success. In the year, 80-100% of the vegetables in the farm shop are the farm's own, with 100% of other foods being local.

Angela Thompson of Manor Farm Shop said: "It is wonderful to have our efforts appreciated and recognised in trying to promote and raise the profile of quality Lincolnshire produce. We feel honoured as the award is quite prestigious."

Visit the award winning shop's website: www.manorfarmshop.co.uk

NATIONAL PICNIC WEEK- 16-22 JUNE 2014

Picnic Basket - langalex Flicker
Did you know that National Picnic Week takes place from 16 to 22 June 2014 and people throughout the country will be gathering up their picnic accessories and finding any excuse to have a picnic in the great outdoors to celebrate!

If you have anything special planned, yummy picnic ingredients or offers – let us know by emailing Charlotte.Goy@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk.

Charlotte, who looks after the PR and Marketing for Select Lincolnshire for Food members along with Gillian Richardson can then include you in free Marketing & PR that we’ve got planned.

Join the national celebrations
Have a look at the website www.nationalpicnicweek.co.uk. It will tell you how you can get involved in the national celebrations by sending in recipes, photos, and join in the conversation via twitter #picnicweek

AWARD WINNERS SCOOP FREE PR IN LINCS ECHO

Have you seen the Lincolnshire Echo’s online news report of this year’s Select Lincolnshire for Food Award Winners?You can read it here. 
Winning awards is a great way to raise your profile among customers and new suppliers. And, as this latest bit of free publicity demonstrates – it can do wonders to promote your business.

Read on the Lincolnshire Echo’s website what Mountain's Boston Sausage, The Green Room, Redhill Farm, The Petwood Hotel, The Sebastopol Inn and Gillian Richardson Business Development manager at Select Lincolnshire for Food said about the awards.

More information
If you would like to find out about next year's awards, please email Gillian.Richardson@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk

SKEGNESS - THE VILLAGE CHURCH FARM PAYS TRIBUTE TO WW2 – FREE FOOD STALLS AVAILABLE

Select Lincolnshire for Food is taking bookings for members who wish to sell their produce to members of the public at a WW2 commemoration event in Skegness.

The event, called ‘The Village at War Weekend’ will take place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend on the 23 to the 25 August.  Expecting crowds of 2000 plus over the weekend there will be plenty to see and do and taste!

To book your free stall, please email Sue Shelford


TRADE OPPORTUNITY – MEET LINCOLN IN LONDON


This year Meet Lincoln, which represents business venues across the city as part of the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce’s Visit Lincoln DMO, along with Lincolnshire Showground and Bishop Grosseteste University is exhibiting at The Meeting Show Tuesday 8th to Thursday 10th July. www.themeetingsshow.com

The Meeting Show happens annually at Olympia, Lincoln. It is a hosted for event buyer who organise meetings, events and conferences at different venues around the country.

This year they have over 750 hosted buyers and 3,000+ visitors attending. Meet Lincoln already has pre-schedule meeting time with event buyers, allowing time for one-to-one discussions with interested business tourism professionals.

Get involved
If you would like to support the event by donating some produce please contact Clare.Williams@Lincs-Chamber.co.uk. We will not have access to refrigeration on the stall so anything room temperature would be ideal. We will of course take business card/printed material for the giveaways if provided.

Tell me more about Meet Lincoln
Meet Lincoln is an established group of venues and accommodation providers in Lincoln and surrounding areas working collaboratively to raise awareness of Lincoln's offer as a place to meet, hold events and conferences. It is part of Visit Lincoln, and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce.

The meetings, conferences and events offer in Lincoln and surrounding areas has grown considerably in the past decade and whilst businesses promote their own venues, Meet Lincoln is coordinating a wider approach to marketing the offer as a whole.

For more information visit the Meet Lincoln website.

INDEPENDENT RETAILERS 'MARKET' OUR TOWN THIS MAY

Two years ago this May, Market Rasen launched its journey to become a Portas Pilot with an Extraordinary ‘Portas Pop Up’ market.

This year from Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 28 May Market Rasen is kicking off its ‘Love Your Local Market’ celebrations with almost 40 stall holders in the historic Georgian Market place from 9am; including Select Lincolnshire for Food Members Greens of Lincolnshire and Lancaster Butchers.

Visitors to Market Rasen can look forward to artisan food, cakes, cheeses, locally grown cut flowers and plants, plus an array of unusual and distinctive gifts from the very best local market traders, including stalwarts like Jill Brown from English Rose who has attended every BIG market and has new fabrics and rhubarb and custard cake and amongst her wares this Saturday.

Market Day visitors can find special offers on the market and deals along the High St wherever they see the MY MARKEN RASEN sticker.

As a taster for Love Your Local Market fortnight [14th - 28th May], Queen St independent retailers, Greens of Lincolnshire and Lancaster Butchers have got together to offer Market Day Specials to give visitors to our double award winning markets a real treat when they explore the High Street.



Fourth generation butcher Richard Lancaster will be offering BBQ packs at special market day prices and Maria Pemberton, who took over the fruit and veg shop, awarded nine out of ten by Mary Portas in her Telegraph magazine column, has Poacher Cheese tastings, King Garden dressings and a prize draw to win £15 veg box for every paying customer.

And for those having a spin down the A46 from Grimsby en route to market Mill Farm Nursery on Gallamore Lane, for a wide range of British grown plant, has just opened for its third season offering an exclusive BIG Market day special of 10% off purchases over £10 for readers of the Telegraph.

Talking about Love Your Local Market, Rob Parry, owner of Mill Farm Nursery, long standing stall holder and member of Mr Big, said: “With two national Markets awards under their belt, and summer visitors on their way, the Mr Big team have really put the Market back into Market Rasen.”

"It's great that we are all working together to provide a warm welcome and great service to visitors."

"We're working hard to create amazing deals in Market Rasen, to encourage visitors to stop and enjoy our free parking, virtual heritage tour and fantastic places to eat & drink,” added Sarah Lamballe, volunteer director of Mr Big.

There will be also be a BIG market in Market Rasen on 20th May from 9am to celebrate Love Your Local Market fortnight with special guests in attendance.