North East-based rail operator Lumo has helped 20 local food and drink producers showcase their products in Westminster.
Lumo partnered with Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Gateshead South, to organise the event in Parliament’s Jubilee Room. Chi Onwurah, Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, was also instrumental in the success of the day. MPs from across the country met with the small business owners presenting their products, as the day coincided with Prime Minister’s Questions.
Products from the likes of Northumberland-based whisky and gin distillery Ad Gefrin, Davenports Chocolates in Gateshead, Doddington Dairy in Northumberland, Geordie Bangers in Newcastle, WL Distillery from County Durham, and Northumberland Coffee were on the menu.
Lumo’s head of customer experience Rachel Firth spoke with guests at the event, offering advice on what the operator looks for when deciding which products to offer customers. North East-based Marka also advised producers on how to secure sustainability accreditation. Lumo has secured outstanding status from Marka, the first standardised sustainability ratings organisation for food and beverage.
A buying manager from the UK’s largest family-owned department store group, Fenwick, also joine the event to meet the producers.
Sharon said: “This is a fantastic initiative which has proven to be very valuable for our many talented local businesses in the North East. It’s great to see a successful company like Lumo, who are based in Newcastle, promoting other local businesses. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting some amazing local people and, as a local MP, helping to promote the food and drink industry in our region. Thank you to Lumo and everyone who attended.”
Richard Salkeld, director of communications and partnerships at Lumo, said: “We’re always proud to celebrate all that’s great about the places, people and produce from along our route so it’s fantastic to help promote such a superb range of North East food and drink producers with this very special opportunity in Westminster.
“It’s an exciting time for Lumo as we prepare to launch a new route connecting Stirling and London along the West Coast Main Line, where we’ll be bringing our friendly north of England spirit to new destinations and championing more communities.”
Chris Ferguson from Ad Gefrin said: “A huge thank you to Lumo for organising such a valuable day for us. This was a brilliant opportunity to bring some of our team along with partners who make the vibrant food and drink scene of the North East. We valued getting the chance to showcase what we do with MPs, buyers and other important stakeholders.”
Jane Williams, founder of Chocolates, added: “What a day! It was really exciting to enter Parliament to showcase our products. I’ve particularly enjoyed the valuable opportunity to network with my fellow North East producers, as well as the special guests who visited us. In fact, I’ve already arranged some interesting discussions about some potential new collaborations following conversations at the event. Watch this space.”
As an open access rail operator, Lumo doesn’t receive any state funding and is frequently one of the top-performing operators in industry customer satisfaction surveys. Lumo is also proud supporter of the local communities it serves, operating 100% electric train services between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and London. The operator is launching a new route connecting Stirling and London in the coming weeks.
