Bob Clark of CREA and Pauline Herbert, Programme Manager for Distinctly Cumbrian with Professor Frank Peck of the University of Cumbria.
The final evaluation of a programme to deliver £3 million of grants to Cumbrian producers says Distinctly Cumbrian has been a success and has left a legacy for businesses to build on in future.
The Distinctly Cumbrian programme was delivered by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency (CREA) and aimed to regenerate and strengthen the rural economy of Cumbria by supporting the production, distribution and marketing of local produce. It has been evaluated by Professor Frank Peck of the University of Cumbria Business School’s Centre for Regional Economic Development and he presented his findings to various stakeholders at the CREA Conference Centre earlier this week (21 October).
He said: “The programme has been successful in managing a significant grant scheme and the data shows that it reached or surpassed almost every target set at the beginning of the programme. As a result, Cumbrian businesses have accessed new markets, developed supply chain opportunities and created more floor space for business use, and the programme has also led to the creation of new business. These factors have led, in turn, to significant safeguarding of existing jobs and, to a lesser extent, to the creation of new jobs.”
The University of Cumbria team - Professor Peck, Gail Mulvey and Ignozio Cabras -contacted 270 businesses who had accessed the programme. Professor Peck said their data revealed that 302 jobs have been created and 568 safeguarded with support from the programme. In addition, 19 new businesses had been formed with input from the programme and 32 companies had been assisted in reaching new markets, some in and some beyond Cumbria.
“Distinctly Cumbrian has also left a legacy of businesses in a more robust position and networking together. It has also helped to create a better infrastructure – from distributor contacts to the Food Technology Centre’s variety of services and facilities - and raised the profile of food and drink in Cumbria. There is also a legacy of skills, expertise and knowledge supporting businesses in the county which can be built upon.”
In his summary, Professor Peck said the results of the survey reveal the Distinctly Cumbrian programme had a significant effect on the viability of businesses involved and achievements in creating floor space, new businesses and jobs. And he concluded that there is a need to manage the legacy effects to ensure the benefits of the programme are maximised in future.
Chief Executive of CREA Bob Clark said: “It is important that we take the recommendations from this report forward in a firm and decisive way. We have got a food and drink sector in Cumbria which has moved on leaps and bounds from where it was seven years ago. The sector is more confident and has a much stronger profile.”
“We are in a transitional time. Funding and organisations have changed since Distinctly Cumbrian was formed, so we now have to look at what opportunities there are to work with organisations and funders to take forward and build upon the success of Distinctly Cumbrian. I am very optimistic about the future, as we now have structures in place which will enable things to move forward.”
Programme Director with Distinctly Cumbrian, Pauline Herbert said: “The strength of Distinctly Cumbrian has been the programme’s flexibility and the wealth of expertise and experience in the team. Obviously, the grants have made a big difference but the team’s expert advice and the new networks and partnerships created through Distinctly Cumbrian have also produced tangible benefits for the sector. A strong message from Professor Peck’s evaluation is that a lot of the growth in Cumbrian food, drink and craft businesses would not have happened without our support and input.”
“Although the programme has come to an end, the work is evolving and there is still a lot to be done, especially with distribution and to make the most of food tourism opportunities.”
David Hunter, Head of Rural Development at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) which funds and works closely with CREA, said: “Distinctly Cumbrian was set up to create jobs and to help businesses thrive in Cumbria's unique food and drink sector, and these excellent results demonstrate its success. Additionally, it gives us a strong foundation on which to build the food and drink sector. The Food Technology Centre is an important part of this and other initiatives, including the NWDA-managed Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), will help to ensure this sector continues to grow and to thrive.”
Distinctly Cumbrian approved grants of more than £3 million over a seven year period (July 2002 – October 2008) and helped over 300 Cumbrian food, drink and craft businesses to expand and develop.
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