Member Article

ASDA, Trinity Leeds and The Tetley to sponsor the Leeds Food and Drink Festival 2014

The Leeds Food and Drink Festival 2014 was launched with headline sponsors Asda as well as supporters from Trinity Leeds and The Tetley.

Spread across the whole city and running from Friday 23Â May until Sunday 8Â June, organisers are now encouraging local and regional businesses to get involved.

Organised by Leeds and Partners, in partnership with Leeds City Council and the Yorkshire Post, the 2013 food festival saw record-breaking levels of participation and attendance, with over 60 businesses taking part and 60,000 people attending the three days of the Yorkshire Food and Drink Show.

Over the two weeks of the festival, Leeds saw an 11% increase in city centre footfall.

New for 2014, the Leeds Food and Drink Festival will feature new highlight events and themes across the three main weekends, as well as a planned Kids Food Festival at The Tetley throughout the first week and the Yorkshire Food and Drink Show at Millennium Square during the final weekend.

Lurene Joseph, chief executive of Leeds and Partners, said: “The Leeds City Region produces 12.5% of the UK’s food and drink turnover.

“Its large food processing sector boasts significant expertise, skills and capability in research, process and precision engineering, which supports the growth and volume of production in the fast moving consumer goods industries.

“The food and drink sector is a major employer and contributor to the UK economy and has seen significant growth in recent years.

“We are also home to one of the UK’s largest grocery chains in Asda, as well as having a deservedly strong reputation for our independent food and drink scene. So, we have the credentials to hold and grow an amazing celebration of the region’s produce.

“These credentials mean our ambition for the Leeds Food and Drink Festival to become one of the largest and best attended food festivals in the UK is now more than an aspiration.“

Andy Clarke, chief executive of Asda, one of the main sponsors of the event, added: “The Leeds Food and Drink Festival has been a huge success for the city and region. It is entirely natural that Asda should play a big part in helping it to grow further.

“We will be encouraging all of our colleagues to get involved in the two weeks of events that are taking place right across the city.“

Councillor Gerry Harper, deputy executive board member for Development & Economy, said: “The Leeds and Yorkshire food scene is something that we are incredibly proud of. Perhaps more importantly, food is great at bringing people together and helping to create a sense of community.

“That’s why we think the Leeds Food and Drink Festival is such an important date in the events calendar for the people of Leeds and wider city region, but also for attracting new visitors to the city.“

Furbisher added: “You don’t need to be a professional cyclist or even a huge cycling fan to be part of the Tour de France celebrations. Le Grand Departy is proof of that - enjoy the festival, enjoy the ride!“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .