[T]hree of Cumbria’s key annual events have received a cash boost, thanks to the success of the county’s longest-running trade show.
The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show was established in 1975, and this year was run by the Lakes Hospitality Association in partnership with Cumbria Tourism at the J36 Rural Auction Centre near Kendal. The two-day not-for-profit event welcomed a record 1,200+ delegates and more than 120 trade stands spanning a wide range of hospitality businesses and associated support services.
Proceeds from the show are as promised, now being re-directed back into the tourism sector with Kendal Torchlight Carnival (14-15 September 2018), the Bowness Bay Blues festival (12-14 April 2019) and the Windermere Christmas Celebration (8-9 December 2018) all being presented with cheques for £1,500 towards their forthcoming events.
It comes as plans for the 44th Lakes Hospitality Trade Show on 13 and 14 March 2019 are well underway. Already the number of stands has increased by almost a third and 40% of the main hall has already been booked with more bookings each week. There will also be an area with smaller stands for business that are just starting and or only have a single and or small number of produce lines in the food and beverage sector.
James Tasker, a Director of the Lakes Hospitality Association, says, “One of the underlying principles of the Lakes Hospitality Show is about ploughing money back into the sector, so we can help give hospitality businesses and supply chain companies the practical support they need to thrive in competitive times.
“Both the Bowness Bay Blues weekend and the Windermere Christmas Celebration have proved a massive success in recent years and continue to grow. We wanted to do everything possible to assist them further in getting to the next level and cementing their place in the area’s events calendar – attracting unique and repeat visitors out of the main holiday season, when they are most needed. Kendal Torchlight is also a wonderful event that is an essential part of the area, and we hope this contribution will equally help it to grow and prosper for the benefit not only of our economy, but our local communities too.”
