Member Article

TASTECLUB becomes part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative

North East food and drink organisation TASTECLUB will join with NewcastleGateshead Initiative, the public-private inward investment and marketing body.

The acquisition was approved at TASTECLUB’s AGM this week and NGI is currently in the process of setting up a wholly owned trading company for such opportunities.

NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive Sarah Stewart said: “We are delighted that TASTECLUB will soon come on board. There is a natural synergy between the two organisations and our core areas of activity.

“This is a great opportunity to further develop TASTECLUB as well as strengthening many aspects of our existing business, from the development and promotion of EAT! NewcastleGateshead – the food and drink festival - through to our work with regional, national and international media to profile the area’s many assets.”

Jane Hogan, chief executive at TASTECLUB, said: “TASTECLUB is a not-for-profit company, with all income reinvested in promoting independently produced food and drink.

“We quickly identified NewcastleGateshead Initiative as a business that shared our ethos and approach to championing the region and supporting the growth of the local economy – albeit on a much larger scale.

“And it is this scale, profile and marketing clout that we believe offers such a great opportunity for the TASTECLUB business to continue to grow and realise its full potential in the years ahead.”

Sarah Stewart added: “The two members of TASTECLUB staff will join our team next month and for TASTECLUB members and customers it should be a smooth transition and business as usual.

“After much discussion, Jane has decided to take this opportunity to pursue a new start-up opportunity and we wish her every success; I have no doubt we will keep in touch with news of TASTECLUB’s future development and success stories.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .