The 'Allerdale Days in Manchester' event is designed to promote the area to a wider audience, showing off its attractions as a place to visit, live and invest. It is also a chance for Allerdale businesses to sell their products and open up new markets.

The event, being organised by CN Events on behalf of the Council, takes place on the 10th -11th August in the city's famous Albert Square – placing Allerdale businesses slap-bang in the centre of the city within the major shopping and business areas. There will also be a drinks reception on the Thursday evening before the event. Anna Chippendale, CN Event Manger said: "We wanted to create an interactive event where people can experience a little bit of Allerdale in the centre of Manchester. It's a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services and really help us to shout about how fantastic the region is".

A central part of the Northern Powerhouse, Manchester is a key market business in Allerdale. Just two hours away, the area of Greater Manchester has a population of 2.8m people and an economy of £59.6bn with a hugely successful creative, media and professional services sectors as well as high-tech manufacturing.

Alan Smith, Leader of the Council, said: "The idea came about some years ago, when I was travelling back from London having spent the day with MPs and their staff promoting all the great things about Allerdale as part of the annual Cumbria Day celebrations. I wanted to do an event for everyone to enjoy - to take Allerdale, its businesses and attractions, to a major city and lavish it with what makes our area special and a great place not only to do business but also to live and visit. I'm so pleased that we are now able to make this happen."

John Coughlan, CEO of event sponsors, TSP Engineering in Workington, added: “TSP Engineering is very much an award winning Allerdale and Cumbrian business. We see ourselves as an example of what can be achieved with the support of Allerdale it's people and tremendous life balance. Our location in Allerdale has supported TSP Engineering in becoming a recognised world class business in a high technology industry. We want people to see Allerdale is a fantastic place to live, train, work and develop your career and life."

Some of the diverse attractions to the free event include a mini ‘Taste Cockermouth on Tour’ food and drink market, rally cars from M-Sport Rally, Climbing Wall, beer tent with local beers from Jennings Brewery and Workington's Tractor Shed Brewery, University of Cumbria, Lakes Distillery, live music and exhibitions from local businesses and organisations and so much more!

Graeme Mitchell, Owner of Tractor Shed Brewing said, “Tractor Shed Brewing likes to challenge perceptions which is why we mainly brew continental style beers such as Pilsner, Helles and Hefeweiss rather than just real ale. We wanted to support this event because it aims to broaden people’s perceptions of Cumbria and the Borough of Allerdale. We're not defined solely by the beauty of the Lake District National Park, beautiful as it is, but explore a little further and discover our amazing beaches, awesome career opportunities, cool music

festivals and of course some fabulous food and beer! A small bit of which will be showcased in Manchester!”

There will also be an opportunity for visitors to try out some of the virtual reality videos being developed by the Council for people to experience all the rich and varied attractions of the area. Allerdale-base film company Fluid Productions is producing the virtual reality films, with funding provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development's LEADER programme.

To join the event, and reach a new market for your products, contact CN Events on 01228 612753 or by emailing annachippendale@newsquest.co.uk . Pitches cost just £100 for the two days.

The event is all part of Allerdale Borough Council's Business Growth Strategy which sets out the Council's approach to boosting business in the borough