Members of Ludlow's Local Agenda 21 group became interested in Cittaslow, and called an open meeting to see if other groups in the town would like to find out more. That original meeting was attended by around 30 people, who represented a wide range of organisations and communities in the town.

The journey towards Cittaslow was very much a 'bottom up' process for Ludlow. After a meeting with Cittaslow representatives in London, Ludlow decided to move forward. Agenda 21, the Ludlow Chamber of Trade, and the Town and District Councils all chipped in to cover the application fee, and in autumn 2003 the self-assessment form was completed and sent off to Italy with the application fee.

Ludlow became the first Cittaslow in the UK on 24th November 2003.

"Ludlow has been Cittaslow for hundreds of years," said Massimo Borri, Cittaslow's Director of International Networks, when he visited the town during its annual Food Festival.

Ludlow remains a living, working market town that serves a large natural hinterland and still supports five traditional butchers and four bakers. Very few retailers in Ludlow are part of national chains – Ludlow is about as far from being a 'clone' town as it is possible to be.

How Cittaslow works in our town

Having achieved a great deal since 2003 operating as part of the Town Council's committee structure, Cittaslow Ludlow has now become a Community Interest Company. Membership of the company is open to a wide range of Ludlow's interest groups and the Town Council is represented.

Organisations already represented on Cittaslow Ludlow include Age Concern, the South Shropshire Youth Forum, Ludlow Civic Society, Ludlow Churches Together, the Women's Institute, Ludlow Local Agenda 21, Ludlow Chamber of Trade, Ludlow Town Centre Residents' Association, and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Officers and members from Shropshire County and South Shropshire District Councils also play an active role in Cittaslow Ludlow, which has strong links with the Ludlow Marches Slow Food Convivium.

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