Cumbrian food and drink businesses will return to a leading food and drink showcase next year to promote the county.

This is Cumbria is a collaboration of 12 county firms – so far – and it will highlight the best of its produce at the Farm Shop and Deli Show in Birmingham in March.

This is Cumbria started as an idea at the 2018 show, initiated by Lisa Smith, of Ginger Bakers, and Maria Whitehead, of Hawkshead Relish.

They made contact with Keith and Jacqui Jackson, of Thomas Jardine & Co, and Sue Howorth, of The Family Business Network, to help form a collaboration of Cumbrian businesses.

Local firms supported the food and drink producers with design and publicity.

Keith said: “Once again we have fantastic sponsorship from Cartmell Shepherd and Enterprise Answers for This is Cumbria.

“The plan is to make This is Cumbria a regular of show. To achieve this, we wanted to ensure that we could also give businesses who may not traditionally have the budget or resource to attend a show like this, so with the generous support of our sponsors we were able to create a showcase area to allow businesses to test the water in a friendly supportive environment."

Hawkshead Relish, Kin Vodka, Farrers Tea & Coffee, Ginger Bakers, Lakeland Artisan, Penningtons Liqueurs, Vegware, Shed 1 Distillery, Molly Rose Drinks, The Pie Mill, Cakes from the Lakes, Hawkshead Brewery and the Eden Valley Meat Company have signed up to the 2020 show.

There is still chance get involved and join This is Cumbria in 2020 as there is space available within the This is Cumbria area.

To find out how to get involved or to sponsor This is Cumbria, contact Keith at Thomas Jardine & Co or Sue at the Family Business Network.