Lumo Brings North East Food Producers to Westminster Showcase

Open access rail operator Lumo has helped a group of North East food and drink producers showcase their products in Westminster during a special promotional event in Parliament.

Twenty small businesses from across the region were invited to present their products in the Jubilee Room at the Palace of Westminster. The event was organised in partnership with Sharon Hodgson MP, the Member of Parliament for Washington and Gateshead South, with support from Chi Onwurah MP, who represents Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West.

MPs from across the UK attended the event to meet producers and sample a range of regional food and drink. The showcase coincided with the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session, giving the producers a chance to meet parliamentarians visiting the building.

Among those taking part were a number of well-known North East brands including Northumberland-based distillery Ad Gefrin, Davenports Chocolates from Gateshead, Doddington Dairy in Northumberland, Geordie Bangers in Newcastle, WL Distillery from County Durham and Northumberland Coffee.

During the event, Lumo’s Head of Customer Experience Rachel Firth spoke with the producers about how the rail operator selects products for sale to passengers on its services. Sustainability advice was also provided by North East-based Marka, which helps businesses secure recognised environmental accreditation. Lumo itself has been awarded an “outstanding” sustainability status by Marka, the first organisation to introduce standardised sustainability ratings for the food and beverage sector.

A buying manager from Fenwick, the UK’s largest family-owned department store group, also attended the event to meet the producers and learn more about their products.

Sharon Hodgson MP, Member of Parliament for Washington and Gateshead South, said:

“This is a fantastic initiative which has proven to be very valuable for our many talented local businesses in the North East. It’s great to see a successful company like Lumo, who are based in Newcastle, promoting other local businesses. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting some amazing local people and, as a local MP, helping to promote the food and drink industry in our region. Thank you to Lumo and everyone who attended.”

Richard Salkeld, Director of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said:

“We’re always proud to celebrate all that’s great about the places, people and produce from along our route so it’s fantastic to help promote such a superb range of North East England food and drink producers with this very special opportunity in Westminster.
“It’s an exciting time for Lumo as we prepare to launch a new route connecting Stirling and London along the West Coast Main Line where we’ll be bringing our friendly North of England spirit to new destinations and championing more communities.”

Chris Ferguson from Northumberland-based whisky and gin distillery Ad Gefrin said:

“A huge thank you to Lumo for organising such a valuable day for us. This was a brilliant opportunity to bring some of our team along with partners who make the vibrant food and drink scene of the North East. We valued getting the chance to showcase what we do with MPs, buyers and other important stakeholders.”

Jane Williams, founder of Gateshead-based Davenports Chocolates, said:

“What a day! It’s been really exciting to enter Parliament to showcase our products. I’ve particularly enjoyed the valuable opportunity to network with my fellow North East producers, as well as the special guests who visited us. In fact, I’ve already arranged some interesting discussions about some potential new collaborations following conversations at the event. Watch this space.”

Image: Lumo