Festival to feature six of the best

SIX local businesses have won the chance to showcase their products at this year’s Best of the West (BOW) festival after winning a competition run by Business Gateway.

Business Gateway Argyll and Bute, which is sponsoring the craft tent, asked local companies to say in 250 words why their products represent the best of the west. The winners were selected on the quality and appeal of their products, the strength of their sales pitch and their fit with the craft tent and the festival.

Each of the six winners – Cocoa-Mo Artisan Chocolates, Zing Organics, Tarbert, Baile Mor Books, Iona, Touchwood Crafts, Bute, Sea Drift, Dunoon, and Ruth Slater, Bute – have won a trade stand within the craft tent for one day over the festival weekend.

The annual two-day event will be held at Inveraray Castle on Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11.

Melanie Neil, founder of Cocoa Mo Artisan Chocolates, based in Helensburgh, will showcase her range of handmade chocolates on the Sunday.

She said: ‘I can’t wait to take my place in the craft tent at the BOW festival and let so many people see and taste my chocolates. This is a fantastic opportunity at a wonderful event right here in Argyll and Bute and I’m delighted I won.’

The three judges were the Duchess of Argyll, Ishabel Bremner, the council’s economic growth manager, and Councillor Aileen Morton, Argyll and Bute policy lead for sustainable economic growth – selected the six.

Eleanor, Duchess of Argyll, the festival organiser, said: ‘Once again the standard of entries to the competition has been really high and it was a privilege to be part of the judging panel. This year’s Best of the West is set to be bigger than ever, showcasing everything Argyll has to offer from its bountiful larder to unique art and craftwork, and I am delighted to welcome the six competition winners to the stellar line-up. I am sure festival attendees will enjoy everything they have to offer.’

For more information on the festival and to buy tickets, go to www.bowfest.co.uk.

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help you set up and develop your own business call 01546 604 555 or visit www.bgateway.com/argylland-bute.