From the North East with love ... businessman's food idea goes global

A cancer survivor has battled his way back to health '“ and into a new business.

Ian Gibson specialised in graphic design and print, but is now branching out to help promote the best of locally produced food and drink.

With his South Tyneside-based business, North East Larder, he aims to spread the taste of the North East across the globe.

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The venture was created after he discovered that - while goods were being sold at reasonable prices online - the delivery charge were making them less affordable.

He now creates bespoke hampers which are sent around the world.

He said: “I noticed each supplier was selling their goods on their own website at reasonable prices. However, once you added a delivery charge it made relatively inexpensive goods less affordable.”

“It was then that I decided to see if there was a demand for bespoke packages of food and drink or even on a hamper basis using the best products I could source.

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“Bringing lots of goods under one roof, I was staggered at how many people said they would use the service, with many hinting they were going to send them to people living away from the region.

“I’ve been in touch with a lot of suppliers and can now offer customers quality food and drink delivered to their homes with good value postal costs.”

North East Larder offers a wide selection of gift packs; themed hampers such as the ‘Geordie Hamper’ and drinks packages using including locally produced flavoured Gin. He is currently working on a ‘Taste of Ocean Road’ Hamper that will celebrate the wide range of Asian foods available in his hometown.

He added: “My sister-in-law lives in Canada and craves things like saveloy dips and Pease pudding. I’m hoping that I can spread the taste of the North East worldwide by providing cost effective quality food and at the same time I’m helping to promote the hard working people who have developed their own jams, drinks, sauces and a whole host more.

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“With the growing amount of men and women working away in various parts, the delivery of a reminder of home would hopefully make them think of their loved ones back in the North East.”

Ian is now gearing up for the busy pre-Christmas rush and is currently working on a Hamper for a client in New Zealand.

For details and to place orders visit northeastlarder.co.uk or call 07787 989 190.