Food and drink businesses invited to key event

Herefordshire food and drink businesses are being invited to a key meeting which will help shape the region’s economic future.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership – the body responsible for driving economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin – is drawing up a new Local Industrial Strategy for the region.

The document will show how and where business growth is going to happen, help influence national policy and position the Marches to secure the best possible funding from Government.

Businesses from the food, drink and horticultural sectors are now being invited to a consultation event in Ledbury on June 20 to discuss some of the issues they face and what the future might hold.

Marches LEP Partnership Manager Kathryn Jones said the LEP wanted to hear from any larger-scale Herefordshire business in the sector who would like to attend.

“Our Local Industrial Strategy will be a key document shaping the development of the Marches for many years to come, and it is important the conclusions we draw in it are based on evidence gathered from businesses on the ground.

“We want to hear from food, drink and horticultural businesses – and particularly those of a larger size operating in Herefordshire – to help us identify the challenges they face regarding business productivity, innovation and growth.

“The purpose of this event is to listen to, learn from and respond directly to businesses about their productivity challenges and opportunities. We want to hear what we can do in the future to help to reduce costs and increase levels of efficiency.

“Their input would be hugely valuable, helping us support productivity improvement and business growth through investment in skills, innovation and infrastructure.”

The event is being held from 2pm at the Alexander Park Resort, Court-Y-Park, Ledbury. Interested companies should email admin.officer@marcheslep.org.uk or call 01743 462026 by June 17.