Welcome to Clitheroe, Lancashire's food town (From This Is Lancashire)

Welcome to Clitheroe, Lancashire's food town

6:03pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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THE Ribble Valley can already boast that it is the centre of Great Britain — and now the area’s oldest market town has another good reason for being on the UK’s tourism map.

Walkers get a buzz from standing on the country's official geographic midpoint at Dunsop Bridge and food lovers are set to get the same kind of thrill from dining out in Clitheroe, which has now been crowned Lancashire’s Food Town.

The accolade — from the Blackpool and Lancashire Tourism Board — was announced last week, recognising the town for its growing reputation as a promoter of local produce.

Being named as the capital of food is expected to bring a whole new element of tourism to the area.

The title came on the back of the success of The Ribble Valley Food Trail, launched in 2008, which puts the spotlight on the area’s specialist outlets — a scheme that has been mimicked by local authorities up and down the country.

An independent panel made up of food and tourism experts from throughout Ribble Valley compiled the trail, featuring restaurants, inns, shops and delicatessens, for food enthusiasts to follow.

Clitheroe is well-known for its specialist shops. Outlets featured on the trail are selected for their commitment to local produce, high quality foodstuffs and excellent customer service.

Tony Openshaw, director of marketing for Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Board, said: “The Ribble Valley is a cluster of excellence and home to 17 eating establishments that have the Tourist Board’s Taste Lancashire accreditation scheme award.

"The area boasts Lancashire’s only Michelin star restaurant (Nigel Haworth’s Northcote Manor) as well as a number of nationally-recognised award winners, from farm cafes to specialist shops and producers.

“The Ribble Valley Food Trail brought these together in a masterstroke that helped further distinguish the region and we believe that Clitheroe now has the potential to be the heart of this great new foodie destination.”

The new title marks the start of a Food Town Initiative that will see a whole host of activities and festivals throughout 2011 to launch the area as a national food lovers' hotspot.

The new title will be added to signs in Clitheroe, and a committee has been set up to promote the image of the town and the Ribble Valley as leaders in the field.

A large food festival is planned for next year, while there are also proposals for street markets, a beer festival and special attractions, including events at The Grand and a mass picnic in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

Rebecca Kay, tourism and arts officer for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said the title was a great boost for the town.

She said: “We hope to make Clitheroe like a little Ludlow in Shropshire (known as a gourmet restaurant capital).

“This title affirms our ongoing campaign to promote the area as a tourist destination.

"This year we want to get as many businesses on board to launch our initiatives next year with the many events planned.

"It’s all very much in the early planning stages at the moment,” she said.

“It’s quite a compliment that places like Chester, Oxford, Sussex and towns in Scotland have been in touch to copy our Ribble Valley Food Trail concept,” she added.

“We are going to relaunch the trail as well to make that even better and a website to showcase what the area has to offer is being set up.

“It’s been a long-running project and next year will be a year of further recognition for Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley on the food map.”

The national tourist eye was cast on Clitheroe last year after it was named the fifth best place in the UK to have a picnic.

And one shop in particular was mentioned — Taste @ Clitheroe, in the Swan Courtyard, a deli and café bar specialising in local, organic and Fair Trade produce. Owner Jamila Hounslow said she was delighted with the announcement.

”We get everything, from our meat to our milk to our coffee, from our local producers and stockists," she said.

"It’s a great way to boast the local economy and I think helping each other out is fabulous for community spirit.

"We’re so pleased to be getting national recognition. It’s raising the profile of Clitheroe and we’re looking forward to the future.”