PLANS to create more efficient distribution networks across Cumbria in a bid to reduce business costs have received a favourable reaction at a business liaison meeting, reports Andrew Daniels.

At the meeting hosted by South Lakeland District Council, officials from Distinctly Cumbrian pointed out that although businesses focus on demand and production, they do not always give the same consideration to distribution.

Distinctly Cumbrian is run by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency and offers financial help and support to producers across the county.

Officials told a meeting at Crook-lands that as many as 20 per cent of businesses had no idea what their distribution costs were.

Distinctly Cumbrian distribution officer Andy Collis said with co-operation between local producers, user groups could be set up.

He said: "The main solutions are to make use of existing facilities such as wholesalers and take advantage of through traffic.

"A lot of vehicles passing through are not full so we plan to tap into these producers.

"We will need an exchanging point and one place could eventually become a distribution centre."

He also said a reluctance to use wholesalers has disconnected local producers from local businesses: "Because most hotel businesses prefer to have one delivery with one invoice, they like to use wholesalers and if people don't use wholesalers Cumbrian hotels can't get Cumbrian produce."

Although some perishable goods have rigid delivery times and are not so flexible, businesses producing non-perishable goods agreed it made sense for them to take other goods if they were travelling to the same destination.

Mr Collis is working on a website that producers will be able to access and see where delivery vans in their area were going.

Business owners at the meeting were also offered help to develop the IT side of their business. Distinctly Cumbrian has been looking at the problems producers face in setting up a website and keeping it running.

With the help of professional web designers, businesses can get help setting out their pages and receive training on how to keep them updated as well as using facilities such as e-shops.

Distinctly Cumbrian is setting up 12 pilot websites before launching the service countywide in November.

For details on distribution of local produce throughout Cumbria, they should contact Andy Collis on 01768-891555.

For information on the internet and on-line trading, contact ICT development officer Lorraine Whinn on the same number.