The five towns in the United Kingdom that gained Cittaslow status before May 2007 all achieved this position as a result of Local Authority initiatives.

However, when Berwick-upon-Tweed became the sixth Cittaslow town in the United Kingdom, the impetus was initiated by members of the community and local amenity groups, with the support of elected members and officers of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council.

Following a series of public meetings and consultations with a wide range of interested individuals and organisations, a steering group was established to gather evidence and assess how closely the town’s environment and the aspirations and concerns of its residents may fit with the 60 criteria set down by the international Cittaslow Movement.

In the meantime, an enthusiastic group of local people with an interest in encouraging the wider availability and use of local produce formed a Berwick Slow Food Convivium, which is an essential requirement before a town can complete the Cittaslow accreditation process.

The process of assembling the necessary information took eighteen months of effort undertaken by volunteers in the community, greatly assisted by officers of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council.

The hard work was rewarded finally when the status of a Cittaslow town was awarded to Berwick-upon-Tweed in May 2007.