£2.5m food centre is opened
A £2.5 million food centre in Ludlow has been opened by Viscount Windsor - creating 50 new jobs in the town.
The Ludlow Food Centre, off the A49, at Bromfield, was opened in glorious sunshine yesterday in front of more than 100 invited guests.
It aims to challenge local supermarkets by selling locally produced food and drink from Shropshire, Powys, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
Actor John Challis, who plays Boycie in TV's Only Fools And Horses, was among the guests.
Viscount Windsor, who attended with his father Lord Plymouth, said he was delighted that the food centre was open and hoped it would be a big success.
He said: "It is a wonderful day and we're very excited about the launch.
"Everybody has worked so hard to get the Ludlow Food Centre ready. We're really trying to do something for the rural economy. As well as stocking locally-produced food and drink, we're also creating 50 new jobs for full-time and part-time workers."
Lord Plymouth said he was very impressed with the new food centre and hoped people would call in to find out more about it.
He added: "It is a great day for everyone. There is nothing else like it, it is quite incomparable. I won't predict its future. But I think it will help local food and drink producers enormously."
County councillor Major Adrian Coles said: "Ludlow has a reputation for gastronomic excellence and this enhances that aspect of the town."
