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Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
South West tops country for 6th year in national tourism awards
The national Visit England awards saw the South West reinforce its position as England’s top region for quality for the sixth year running with 16 awards.
The Visit England awards link with the South West Tourism Excellence Awards which held its awards ceremony in Torquay on 1st February. This followed a selection process, including judging of 647 entries from across the South West with many of them winning also in the awards held in Dorset, Cornwall, Bristol, Bath & Somerset and Devon. During the winter, the regional entries have been pitted against further entries from across the country, with finalists all invited to receive their trophies from presenter Kirsty Allsopp at the VisitEngland awards event in Bath on 23rd April.
Three South West nominees took Gold trophies in the national awards: Landal Gwelan Mor from Cornwall in the Holiday Park / Village category, The Roman Baths & Pump Room from Bath in the Inclusive Tourism category and Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park from Wiltshire in the Taste of England award.
Silver award winners included; The 25 Boutique B&B from Torquay in the B&B category, Mylor Sailing & Powerboat School from Cornwall in the Inclusive Tourism category, The Roman Baths and Pump Room for Inbound Tourism, The Milkshed from Devon in the Self Catering category, Devon’s Bulleigh Barton Manor in the Dog Friendly category and Wiltshire’s Lucknam Park in the Hotel of the Year award.
Robin Barker from South West awards organisers Services for Tourism, said: “It’s…great to see the continued success of the South West and the region ‘heading the quality charts’ once again. With the 2018/19 Awards already open for entry we‘re looking forward to another record year ahead.”
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “These awards are a celebration of our thriving tourism industry. They highlight the people and the organisations that deliver amazing experiences for visitors, raising the profile of England as a world-class destination.”
Independent coffee chain first to ban disposal cups
Independently-owned coffee chain Boston Tea Party (BTP) have announced plans to ban all single-use coffee cups from its 21 cafés from 1st June.
It estimates it stands to lose over one million pounds in takeaway coffee sales as takeaway hot drinks make up 5.2% of its total turnover of £19.8m.
Boston Tea Party is instead asking customers to move to reusable cups. They can bring their own reusable cups, take advantage of a cup loan scheme or buy a cup in store.
Sam Roberts, owner and MD of BTP said: “Lots of coffee chains are making pledges about how they plan to tackle cup waste in the future. But theirs is a future which is too far away. We need to stop right now. I’d stop tomorrow but I think it’s only fair to give our loyal customers and fantastic team a month to get used to the idea.”
The team at BTP “believes that the only sustainable option is to reduce and reuse rather than recycle.” According to figures from a 2011 report from Which?: “Only 1 in 400 (0.25%) of the estimated 2.5 billion plastic coated coffee cups used in the UK each year are recycled. 4%, approximately 500,000, are littered every day. The rest (95.75%) go into landfill. Many compostable alternatives also end up in landfill as there aren’t enough accessible facilities in the UK to compost them.”
BTP previously introduced a 25p discount for customers bringing in their own cups. But they only saw a 2.8% take up. Roberts explains: ”We want to demonstrate to other operators that to make a difference, big change is needed. We will make this work and we’ll share details of how we’ve done it with anyone who wants our help to do the same. We dream of a future where our children marvel at the fact that pre-2018 we would regularly use a cup once and throw it away. The discarded cup could then take centuries to decompose. When you consider it in those terms, it really is senseless.”
Wild Beer Co announce collaborations project
Somerset-based Wild Beer Co have announced their collaborations for the year ahead which include working with brewers To Øl, Firestone Walker, Brooklyn Brewery, Cascade Brewing & Blending, and Fullers.
The projects break down into “US Collaborations, Cask Collaborations and Tales From The Wood Collaborations” which the brewer says “shows a statement of our intent as a leading European farmhouse style brewery.”
The US Collaborations projects come as part of the brewer “actively working on polishing our reputation in North America.” They will be working with Jester King, American Solera, Firestone & Walker, Cascade, and Arizona Wilderness breweries, on sour and barrel-aged programs.
The Cellarman Project Cask Collaborations will see them work with Magic Rock (UK), Left Handed Giant (UK), Ignition Brewery (UK), Fullers (UK), Budvar (CZ), and Brooklyn Brewery (USA). They say these partnerships will highlight the importance of “how we look after it and maintain…[our beer]…once it rests in the venues cellar. The job of the cellarman is crucial in carrying the baton of the beer effectively from cellar to pump – this appreciation is what cemented the project idea between ourselves and Garrett Oliver at Brooklyn. The beer will travel with notes and pump clips that allow for ‘tapped’ and best by’ dates to be added by the venues.” The resulting beers will “bring something wildly different to the market.”
The Tales From The Wood partnership will see them “cement our love affair with wood and the barrel ageing process” as they work with breweries including To Øl, Loverbeer, Magic Rock, Lindheim Ølkompani, Alesong Brewing and Blending, and Oud Beersel.
These collaborations feature “both the ageing and blending techniques that we have honed over the last five years. By partnering with those who share this passion we aim to produce incredible and intriguing beer.”
For more information, go to www.wildbeerco.com
Bath craft beer brewer expands and wins gold
Electric Bear Brewing Co., based in Bath, are expanding their brewery with two new fermentation vessels which will increase their capacity by 33%. They have also replaced their old cooling system and built a new cold store for fresh can and keg storage. The tanks are being supplied by 6iX Engineering, based near Wincanton, and the chilling system by Vigo, from Honiton.
Electric Bear also picked up two gold medals at the SIBA South West Independent Beer Awards for Above The Clouds in the cask IPA category, and Inspector Remorse Porter in 330ml can.
For more information, go to www.electricbearbrewing.com
Worcestershire Food & Drink quality marque launching
A new food and drink quality marque, Worcestershire Food & Drink (WFD), will be launched at The Food & Drink Trade Show 2018, being held at Malvern Showground on 2-3 May 2018.
Led by the Worcestershire Regulatory Services Environmental Food & Health team, the project is funded by Worcestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, and is open to any independent producer, caterer, retailer regardless of size, operating in Worcestershire and producing or selling local food. It aims to promote “producers, caterers and retailers and ultimately…[position]… Worcestershire as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ on the wider food map.”
The launch has been welcomed by the regional quality organisation, Three Counties Food & Drink Co.
“We’re delighted that Worcestershire now has a designated organisation to promote its great food and drink offering”, said Nick Waloff, Director of Three Counties Food & Drink Co.
“It will allow the regional branding and showcasing of three great food and drink-producing counties – Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
“They will be able to work as partners to promote their combined offerings, to attract inward investment into the food and drink chain, and to encourage export opportunities”.
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Liberation toasts royal wedding with new beer
Liberation Brewery are launching Meghan’s Sparkle to celebrate the upcoming royal wedding.
According to a spokesperson: “Meghan’s Sparkle (4% ABV) is a beautifully balanced ale, created from the perfect marriage of British and American hops, with a hint of ginger.
“The majestic copper coloured beer is brewed with the finest Maris Otter malt to produce an easy drinking beer with a fruity aroma. “
It will be available on tap at many of the Liberation Group’s 73 pubs in the Channel islands and 43 pubs in the West Country. Free trade customers will be able to obtain the beer through Butcombe Brewery.
Mark Crowther, chief executive of the Liberation Group said: “We’re excited to mark the Royal wedding with a beer fit for a King – or at least a Prince. The combination of American and British hops is a marriage made in heaven. Channel Islanders are proud to be British and will want to raise a glass to the happy couple. Hopefully, this beer will prove popular with stag and hen dos as well as those drinking on the day.”
Dartmoor Brewery launch small-batch ale
Dartmoor Brewery have unveiled their Dartmoor Discovery Range No.3, the latest in their small-batch craft ale range.
The new limited edition beer is a red rye ale with “a spicy undertone from the rye and a citrusy hop finish.”
Richard Smith, Managing Director of Dartmoor Brewery, said: “Following previous successes with our small-batch beers, our new red rye ale is a logical next-step in our Dartmoor Discovery Range. This limited-edition brew carries all the quality credentials and strong provenance of any Dartmoor Brewery ale, whilst also allowing our award-winning head brewer to flex his creativity and give our customers something a little different.”
For more information go to www.dartmoorbrewery.co.uk
Protein range and new parlour for Somerset ice cream producer
Somerset-based Granny Gothards have launched a new range of high protein ice creams, PROice. This will include High Protein Peanut Butter Ice Cream and three flavours of frozen Greek yoghurts; Banana, Berry Burst and Strawberry. According to the producer they are “both low fat and low sugar as levels have been reduced by 7% which has raised the taste of the fruits and has resulted in a much fruitier product.”
The range has been taken up by Muscle Food UK who are launching the brand at the largest fitness show in Europe, Body Power.
For more information please contact amanda@proice.co.uk or www.proice.co.uk.
Granny Gothards are also opening a new ice cream parlour in the refurbished Scott Cinema in Exmouth, Devon. After supplying single-serve tubs for the past three years, they will now be serving more of their flavours as scoopable ice cream. For more information on their range of 135 flavours email sales@grannygothards.co.uk or visit www.grannygothards.co.uk.
APPOINTMENTS
Bournemouth hotel appoints former FJB restaurant manager
Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth has appointed Jose Martins as its new restaurant manager.
He has over 40 years of hospitality experience and joins them from FJB Hotels where he was restaurant manager of Harbour Heights, Haven and Sandbanks Hotels.
Martins will oversee the family-run hotel’s restaurant and banqueting facilities as well as taking charge of staff and training.
Marsham Court opened their newly-refurbished Solent Suite and Restaurant earlier this month. It can accommodate up to 280 diners and has new bars, decor and sprung dancefloor.
PROPERTY
Landmark Ilfracombe hotel for £750,000
The Habit hotel, “one of the most striking in Ilfracombe” according to agents Colliers International, is on the market for offers around £750,000.
The hotel features a Victorian facade and contemporary interior with 11 letting rooms along with an additional nine awaiting refurbishment. A planning application for a further eight flats has also been submitted.
Originally known as the Crescent House Hotel, it opened in 1863 and contains many original features in addition to its handsome façade overlooking the landmark Capstone Hill and seafront.
Although currently closed, Ed Jefferson from Colliers International’s Hotels team said: “With its split-level conservatory, ballroom turned bar, stained glass windows and wonderful staircases, The Habit has plenty of potential to be returned to splendour.”
SHOW SPOTLIGHT
The Food & Drink Trade Show
Meet The Buyer
New for 2018, taking place on the second day of The Food & Drink Trade Show, in the adjacent Lindon Suite, is an opportunity for buyers to see a curated selection of products exclusively from the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire & Gloucestershire.
This carefully selected range of products comes both from exhibitors at the show, and from companies who are not exhibiting. It’s a great opportunity to taste and examine in detail specific products from Three Counties’ producers; many of whom are brand new to trade. If you want to find out more about a product or producer, there will be a one-to-one meeting booths provided where you can hold in-depth conversations. Your free trade entry badge for The Food & Drink Trade Show will also allow you entrance to the Meet The Buyer event.
For further details on the event, please visit thefoodanddrinktradeshow.co.uk/show-features/meet-the-buyer/. For more information about the show, to book a stand, or register to attend, please call 01934 733433, visit thefoodanddrinktradeshow.co.uk or follow @lovefinefood.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
May
The Food & Drink Trade Show
2nd – 3rd May 2018
Three Counties Showground, Malvern
The trade show for inspirational regional food and drink. A unique blend of inspirational speciality food & drink products from a wide range of exhibitors – from the small and regional, to those who trade throughout the UK and internationally. The show will feature a full Chef Demonstration programme and new for 2018, a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event.
https://thefoodanddrinktradeshow.co.uk/
Tourism Awards Workshop
3rd May 2018
Screech Owl Sanctuary, Saint Columb. Cornwall
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-screech-owl-sanctuary-cornwall-tickets-44306976359
Tourism Awards Workshop
10th May 2018
The Barn, Westward Living, Westward Ho! Devon
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-the-barn-westward-living-westward-ho-n-devon-tickets-44307013470
Instagram & iPhone photography workshops
14th/15th May 2018
Appleton’s at the Vineyard, Trevibban Mill. Padstow
“Lead by art director and designer Matt Inwood and hosted by Barefoot Media, the workshops are ideal for those working in the food & drink and hospitality industry who are interested in using Instagram more effectively, especially as a business tool to self-promote.”
For more information and to book –
Workshop one
Monday 14th May – 9:30-3pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/instagram-iphone-photography-workshop-mon-14th-may-tickets-44140871535
Workshop two
Tuesday 15th May – 9:30-3pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/instagram-iphone-photography-workshop-tues-15th-may-tickets-44146031970
Tourism Awards Workshop
16th May 2018
Larkbeare Grange, Exeter. Devon
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-larkbeare-grange-near-exeter-revised-time-tickets-44307399625
The Business Show 2018
16th – 17th May 2018
ExCeL, London
“The exhibition for anyone starting or growing a business, with 250 seminars and 170 masterclasses. Keynote speakers include Simon Woodroffe OBE, the creator of YO! Sushi and Steven Smith, Founder of Poundland.”
http://www.gbbs.co.uk/
Tourism Management Institute Hot Topic conference
18th May 2018
Anglia Ruskins University, Cambridge
“The Hot Topic theme this year will be on the challenge of funding destination management and destination activity – at national and local level. There will be presentations from destinations who are following diverse but successful models of sustainable core funding, with the opportunity to learn from such practice.”
To view the programme, find out more information & to book, please visit –
https://www.tmi.org.uk/event/15/tmi-hot-topic.htm
London Wine Fair
21st – 23rd May 2018
Olympia, London
“Featuring over 14,000 wines from 40 countries, innovative tastings, critical masterclasses and a host of brand new features for 2018, London Wine Fair is an unmissable destination for anyone in the industry.”
https://www.londonwinefair.com/
Tourism Awards Workshop
23rd May 2018
Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype, Bridport. Dorset
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-martins-bar-restaurant-at-highlands-end-holiday-park-dorset-tickets-44829471155
Tourism Awards Workshop
24th May 2018
Brean Leisure Park, Brean. Somerset
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-hru-brean-leisure-brean-somerset-tickets-45356196605