Ludlow could lose its role as the headquarters of Slow Food UK – which would slash its reputation as the UK’s capital of “gastro food”.

Two local leaders were made redundant from the SFUK office and there are plans being mooted to move it to London.

Slow Food International has said that it was time to breathe new life into the organisation.

The Shropshire office is currently on Ludlow’s Eco Park in free space provided by Advantage West Midlands but it could be shifted to Neal’s Yard in London’s Covent Garden.

In 2006, Ludlow fought competition from across Britain to take the crown as the national headquarters of the “foodie” movement.

Local councillor and SFUK member, Graeme Kidd, was instrumental in leading the bid, which cost about £37,000.

But last month, Phil Maile, operations manager of Ludlow’s SFUK, was made redundant along with Fiona Richmond, the UK co-ordinator. Another member of staff decided to leave.

Mr Maile said the HQ was now being manned by a student. He added that he was made redundant just 10 minutes before his three month probationary period expired and was told the reason was “a lack of cash”.

Mr Maile said a new chairman had been appointed to the board of directors.

He said: “The membership has called for an extraordinary general meeting with the new leaders to get answers about what is going on.”

He added that the loss of the Ludlow base would be a “terrible blow” and many of the smaller local branches were against the move.

He said: “With the amount of people against the move there is still a chance of keeping the HQ in Ludlow.”

Carlo Petrini, President of Slow Food International, today said: “We need to re-invent Slow Food in the UK to take the movement forward, reach new heights and make our voice heard at the highest levels… This we can achieve by bringing our cause to London.”

The Slow Food campaign was founded to counteract fast food, fast life and the disappearance of local food traditions.

By Catherine Roche