Western Daily Press (Saturday)
New food and drink traders can win bursary
ABURSARY has been launched to help new food and drink producers take their first steps into trading.
Organisers of eat:Festivals which holds events across Somerset are offering 10 bursaries to new businesses who have not engaged in the retail trade before.
The bursary is sponsored by Thatchers Cider and aims to encourage new start-ups to consider festival trading. Those successful in applying for the bursary will be given a free pitch at the Weston-super-Mare festival in September – pitches usually cost between £60 and £120.
Meanwhile, they will be given advice from a professional graphic designer and mentoring and support from festival organisers throughout the year.
Sarah Milner Simonds, of eat:Festivals, said: “We want local businesses to benefit from the festival. By partnering with Thatchers Cider we are able to offer a chance for new businesses to make their first steps into trading. We recognise we have an opportunity to assist in developing the skills, abilities and knowledge of all food and drink producers.”
Bev Milner Simonds, joint director, said: “We know that Covid-19 is affecting every business and some people are pivoting or diversifying – we also know that there will be some new businesses just starting out. The scheme is designed to encourage business start-up and self-employment within the local area.
“Interested businesses need to complete the simple form on our website www.eatfestivals.org and we hope that this will be seized on by new traders.”
Martin Thatcher, of Thatchers Cider, said: “After such a difficult few months for everyone, it’s fantastic that eat:Festivals are planning their return to eat:Weston in September. It will be a much-welcomed return for traders who excel in such a diverse array of local food and drink. The Thatchers bursary gives an opportunity for first time traders to introduce their produce to visitors, and we’re looking forward to selecting this year’s recipients with Beverley and Sarah over the coming months.”
Nikki Seymour, of Bake me Crazy,
It will be a muchwelcomed return for traders who excel in such a diverse array of local food and drink
MARTIN THATCHER
who benefited from the bursary last year, said: “I was awarded a Thatchers Bursary to trade at eat:Minehead festival in 2019, it has been great to join the #eatfestivalsfamily. We had access to expert advice on how to get the best out of the day, free publicity, as well as being able to trade for free. We love meeting customers face to face; getting feedback and discussing new orders. We had a brilliant day’s trade and the feedback was tremendous.”
Applications for the bursary need to be submitted before 1 August 2020 and there are 10 bursary places at the eat:Weston event on 26 September.
For more information, visit www. eatfestivals.org.