Organisers of Burnham-On-Sea’s food festivals are offering support to new businesses to enable them to make their first steps into trading.
Eat:Burnham-On-Sea has launched a new bursary that aims to encourage business start-ups and the entrepreneurial spirit in the area through involvement with the events.
The Bursary offers the chance for producers to benefit from a free pitch at the festival and there is support from the organisers and their designers throughout the year.
Sarah Milner Simonds, from the festival, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We want local businesses to benefit from the festival. By partnering with Thatchers Cider we are able to offer a chance for new businesses 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.”
The Bursary, sponsored by Thatchers Cider, a fourth generation Somerset cidermaker, is for food and drink producers who have not engaged in retail trade before.
Bev Milner Simonds, joint festival director, added: “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 at www.eatfestivals.org and we hope that this will be seized on by new traders.”
Martin Thatcher of Thatchers Cider says: “When my Great Grandfather first started making and selling cider, he did so on his own with a determination to succeed. No doubt had there been a local food festival in Sandford at the turn of the 19th century he would have been there! We’re delighted to support eat:Festivals through this bursary to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit amongst our fantastic food and drink producers in Somerset.”
Sarah Welland from Berrow Beef & Lamb, a benefactor from a previous festival, said: “Being awarded a bursary to attend the festival was a massive boost for us at the early stages of establishing Berrow Beef & Lamb. 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. Due to the huge success it turned out to be, both in terms of sales on the day and follow up business, we intend being at every future festival!”
Applications for the bursary need to be in before 23rd February, 2018.
