Food and Drink / Lancashire and Liverpool united once more

Lancashire and Liverpool united once more

Prior to 1974 they were one and the same.
Liverpool - alongside the likes of Manchester, Bolton, Oldham, Southport and Barrow - was part of Lancashire. Changes to local government boundaries changed all that of course, although the historical links remain.
Now, over 30 years later in a spirit of partnership, Liverpool and the current boundaries of Lancashire are coming together once more for 2008 and Liverpool's European Capital of Culture celebrations.
This is when we will collectively recognise and appreciate a part of our lives none of us could do without - food and drink.
Taste Lancashire 08 will not only see plenty of joint activity and events between both areas but also promote and help re-discover the food and drink connections that already unite us.

• Sir Henry Tate of Tate and Lyle sugar, born in Chorley and with, until recently, a huge and significant manufacturing base in Liverpool, and now recognised through patronage of the arts at the thriving Tate Gallery on the Albert Dock;
• West Lancashire's hugely important market gardening industry supplying much of the fresh vegetable and salad crops used by Liverpool's many eating places and food retailers;
• Top chef Paul Heathcote with restaurants and catering operations in both areas. His Olive Press pizzeria and bar grill chain has a presence in Liverpool, Preston and arrives in Clitheroe in spring 2007; Simply Heathcotes can be found in Liverpool and The famous Longridge Restaurant near Preston, while outside catering is provided at both Liverpool and Preston football clubs;
• And shrimps have been on the menu for both areas for many years now thanks to shrimping activity in both Morecambe and Southport, the former being the proud possessor of a Royal Warrant.

Liverpool won the race to become a European Capital of Culture in June 2003 and at an instant the national and international perceptions of the city improved. 2008 is seen as the rocket fuel that truly propels Liverpool's economy and transforms it into a world-class city.

Liverpool is already well known around the world for its maritime, heritage, architecture, music, literature, arts and sport. The Capital of Culture title will place the city firmly on the global map. In fact nearly two million extra visitors are expected to attend the many world-class festivals and events that will take place in the run-up to and including 2008.

For more information about Liverpool VisitLiverpool