18 new jobs at Labels be created by Labels Outlet Shopping with the opening

of a brand new Food Hall, as well as a 7,000 square feet Rockfields Home and Garden store within Labels shortly. A flavour of Herefordshire

was on the menu when the new shopping outlet hosted a tasting event

featuring local food and drink last week. Visitors enjoyed sampling produce

ranging from cakes, pastries and speciality breads to blackcurrant cordials, soup and local wine. Labels' Chief Executive Angie Ellis said: "We're absolutely delighted with the response; over 30 local and regional producers have attended to showcase their wares, with around 500 visitors here to sample them. It seems our plan to create Labels' Food Hall has met with approval!" The company believes there are some extremely talented and successful local producers within the county who deserve more recognition for the quality of their products and a real opportunity to sell them in quantity. Joyce Thomas, MBE DL said: "It was a lovely, happy atmosphere, almost like a farmers' market. There were a lot of local exhibitors, including produce from Ledbury and Leominster. It was a delightful evening. I tasted some delicious bread baked at home by someone from Ledbury."

Future plans for the Food Hall include a butchery, a seafood bar and a gourmet cheese stand and it is hoped the food outlet will be launched shortly, generating 12 new jobs. In addition, the Rockfield development will bring up to six new jobs. This scheme flies in the face of the current economic downturn, where retail has been widely regarded as the business sector most severely affected. Labels Managing Director, Rachel Addison said: "We are delighted to welcome Rockfield to Labels. We're all working very hard behind the scenes to ensure the new Home&Garden store is open

in time for Easter!" Rockfield's Managing Director, Leon Wolverson,

sees his Company's new partnership with Labels Outlet Shopping as an "ideal opportunity" between two privately- owned and managed businesses.

He said: "Labels has an enviable reputation as a well-run, progressive retailer, and has a superb location, at the end of the M50.