#LancashireDay reaches record 173m on social media

With a trip to the House of Commons, the support of TV's Ranvir Singh and the efforts of businesses throughout the red rose county, the Lancashire Day campaign reached more than 173 million users on social media.

The figure, calculated by Marketing Lancashire, is a 133 per cent increase on 2017's campaign, which reached 74 million.

During November 27, Lancastrians from across Europe as well Canada, Indonesia, Argentina, Japan and America flooded social media with their own pictures, memories and well wishes for Lancashire Day.

Marketing Lancashire’s special Lancashire Day event at the House of Commons, hosted by Andrew Stephenson MP, promoted the county as a leading destination for business and leisure. More than a dozen of the county’s tastiest producers filled the Jubilee Room with a bounty of Lancashire food and drink, representing Marketing Lancashire’s Taste Lancashire campaign to establish the county as a must-visit destination for food-lovers.

Ministers including defense secretary Gavin Williamson, treasury secretary Liz Truss and Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry sampled award winning gins, chocolates, coffee, drinks made from hibiscus flowers, pies and Bowland snails along with a selection of other Lancastrian delicacies.

They were joined by Members of Parliament, Lords and Ladies and leading Lancastrians based in the capital including Johnny Ball, president of The Association of Lancastrians in London, and Ranvir Singh, Lancashire’s newest official ambassador. Buyers from leading retailers including Harrods were also on hand to sample a taste of Lancashire.

Andrew Stephenson MP, said: “I was pleased to be asked to host Marketing Lancashire’s Lancashire Day event at the House of Commons and delighted by the support shown by fellow MPs and Ministers, from Lancashire and further afield. Their presence helped mark this special day.

“Word of the quality of the Taste Lancashire food and drink on offer from our excellent local producers quickly spread through Parliament and made for a lively, packed event with MPs queuing to get in. I couldn’t have asked for a better showcase for Lancashire on Lancashire Day and thank all those involved in delivering a memorable and impressive day."

Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “There was an incredible buzz in the room, a great turn out and everyone involved had a fantastic time celebrating Lancashire Day.

“We are so proud to have been able to fly the flag for Lancashire at the House of Commons on this very special day. We want everyone to know what a superb offer Lancashire has and what a fantastic place it is for business and leisure. We will continue to work hard and keep banging the drum for Lancashire.”

On Lancashire Day Marketing Lancashire announced Preston-born television presenter and journalist Ranvir Singh as the county’s newest Lancashire Ambassador and she was officially welcomed at the House of Commons by Rachel McQueen, Tony Attard, chair of the board of Marketing Lancashire, county councillor Michael Green and Angie Ridgwell, chief executive of Lancashire County Council.

The first Lancashire Ambassador Andrew Flintoff was announced in October. Since then he has worked with Marketing Lancashire on a new short film; a rousing call to action to encourage business leaders across the county to work together to increase the national and international profile of Lancashire. This was also released to the public on Lancashire Day.

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Marketing Lancashire’s Lancashire Day at the House of Commons was supported by Virgin Trains and Coolkit of Burnley, who ensured that all the produce arrived in London in perfect condition. Meanwhile, Lancashire Business View launched its campaign to bring back £1bn of spending to the county.