Hampers fit for a prince

The Burnley-based gourmet food company, run by local entrepreneur Karen Helsby, won the contract after being contacted by the Prince's company, and told they were on top of the shortlist to produce the exclusive range of top-notch hampers.

"This fantastic opportunity to be short-listed resulted from an introduction following our attendance at a 'Meet the Buyer' event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire," said Karen.

"I always knew we had hampers fit for a prince! We have a great range of top quality hampers with the tastiest foods - and they're all made in Britain and Ireland, I might add. "We're delighted to have been chosen to produce these limited edition hampers. It means a lot to a growing business like ours.

"And it also means more people will enjoy our organic hampers stuffed with the tastiest foods from one of the best brands in the business."

The hand-woven traditional wicker baskets each contain a selection of the finest organic Duchy Originals Christmas Fayre, including Christmas cakes and puddings, preserves, chocolates, biscuits and soft drinks.

And to celebrate the first year of Duchy Originals Hampers, each comes complete with a numbered limited edition Duchy gift tag and a limited edition Duchy Christmas card

There are three hampers in the rang - the Duchy Ambassador @ £75, the Duchy Imperial @ £100 and the Duchy Sovereign @ £150. The hampers are available from Hamperstop, telephone 01282 415381.

Want to talk? Yes, minister!

ALAN JOHNSON, Minister of State for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions, held talks at Ewood Park in November with both East Lancashire local authority representatives and local business leaders during a four-hour series of meetings.

This visit was organised by the Chamber as a part of the series of ministerial visits to the region to address several key priority issues.

We are seeking government help to further improve the quality of life within East Lancashire and exploring the principles of examining 'Joined-up government' relating to East Lancashire.

The detailed discussion points covered were:

EUROPEAN FUNDING There was discussion about the possibility of selecting the duration or scope of eligibility within East Lancashire and the implications of European Union enlargement

Local Government. It is recognised that there is a need to rationalise regional and local government structure nationally and within East Lancashire.

HOUSING This complex issue is linked inextricably to broader issues about the development of the East Lancashire economy and the sort of economy it is likely to become. Low demand is illustrative of the current problems but Pathfinder funding gives opportunities to revitalize the area.

Associated issues include capacity issues, both in terms of being able to source the right local suppliers and the right local skills and the scope for innovative processes and technology to be factored in to house-building and regeneration.

PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT This was raised in both the housing context and also the generic difficulty for smaller companies tendering, or being on the list of approved suppliers, for public sector tenders.

ADMINISTRATION AND WHITE COLLAR JOBS The Blackburn experience in contracting out services through Capita was considered. Capita has taken on employees for work previously undertaken in-house and has brought further white collar jobs to the town. More are expected to follow.

A big issue here is the context of future employment patterns and opportunities in the area where there is a forecast and predictable decline in manufacturing jobs. In particular, East Lancashire had a very low number of jobs in public administration and has not seen material opportunities through transfer or creation of Government Agency jobs.

HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS WITH BUSINESS This has been a long-running issue with a poor

record and no indigenous university. Whilst there is some slow evolution, East Lancashire is not well served.

ENTERPRISE ZONESIn anticipation of the expected announcement of pilot schemes aimed at providing freedom for economic development in the worst 2000 UK wards, East Lancashire would wish to be included.

SMALL FIRMS LOAN GUARANTEE SCHEME It was felt that the manner in which it is operated was in need of review.

MINISTERIAL VISITSEast Lancashire partners have kept the Business Co-ordination Unit in the ODPM informed of the desire to see joined-up government across the area and have met the unit on a number of occasions.

The visit of Alan Johnson, important in its own right, was also regarded as an appropriate starting point of a continuum with further ministerial visits to follow.

MANUFACTURING Government manufacturing strategy was noted and some local engagement with the Manufacturing Institute identified.

NWDA REGIONAL STRATEGIES The East Lancashire partners are supportive of the RDA and welcome the rational approach to business support. The value of the contributions of the sub-region to the regional whole was noted, as was the need for appropriate sub-regional structures.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT This was seen as a major impediment to the transition of the economy. With both the Small Business Service and Learning and Skills Council likely to become more closely integrated with the NWDA, it was seen as perhaps appropriate to deal with these agencies.