South West Initiatives

Cornish business launches national collaboration

In the two years since its launch, Liskeard-based No More Lids has made a significant mark on the hospitality industry. The company has just announced the next phase in its mission: a collaboration with industry giant Zeus Food.

New report says sleeping energy giant can transform food economy

A major new report launched today shows how the sleeping giant that is geothermal energy could revolutionise how food, drink and farming access a genuinely sustainable source of electrical generation and heat in Cornwall.

Entries open for South West Tourism Awards 2026

Entries are now open for the 2026 Tourism Awards across the South West, with tourism and hospitality businesses in Dorset, Devon, Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Cornwall encouraged to take part.

Bristol-based Vital Duo brings innovative new chocolate to market with support from The Food Works^SW

Inspired by Five Elements philosophy, Bristol-based chocolate brand Vital Duo is the latest food business to harness the expertise and specialist facilities at The Food Works^SW, North Somerset’s dedicated food and drink innovation centre.

St Austell Brewery and St. Ewe launch limited-edition ‘Tribute Eggstra’

Two Cornish businesses have come together to launch Tribute Eggstra – the world’s first high protein beer brewed with eggs.

South West businesses celebrate gold as Taste of the West Hospitality & Retail Awards gather momentum in 2026

From seafood specialists to tearoom owners, some of this year’s early Gold Award winners share what the accolade means for their businesses and why entering could be one of the best decisions you make in 2026.

UK food champions inspired by first-ever Cornwall safari

Food and drink champions from across the UK travelled to the far South West for the first-ever Great Cornish Food Safari, showing how Cornwall has carved a reputation as the UK’s hottest food destination beyond London.

The sweet taste of success in Plymouth

Signature Strawberries cafe, specialising in chocolate-dipped strawberries, celebrates a year on, on Plymouth’s historic Sutton Harbour.

St Austell Brewery donates £25,000 to mentor programme transforming young men’s lives

St Austell Brewery has announced a £25,000 donation to A Band of Brothers Cornwall, a charity transforming the lives of young men through mentorship and long‑term community support.

Final call for East Devon Tourism Network event: Empowering local voices in challenging times

Tourism and hospitality businesses across East Devon are being encouraged to secure one of the final remaining places at the upcoming East Devon Tourism Network event, “Speaking Up for East Devon Tourism: A Voice for Collaboration and Change.”

Circumstance Distillery crowns winner of its first Bristol bartender cocktail competition

Bristol’s Circumstance Distillery has crowned the winner of its first-ever cocktail competition dedicated exclusively to bartenders from Bristol, celebrating the creativity and talent within the city’s thriving hospitality community.

Diary Date: Cornwall’s first sustainability event series for the hospitality sector

Roots: Planet is a brand‑new sustainability event designed for hospitality businesses of every size in Cornwall – from start‑ups and independents to large hotels and visitor attractions.

Food and drink innovation centre The Food Works^SW hosts inspiring Discovery Day

The South West’s leading food and drink innovation centre, The Food Works^SW welcomed UK-based businesses on Thursday 5th March for its latest Discovery Day, offering a hands-on opportunity to explore its specialist facilities.

Still In Cask blockchain whisky investment platform sees 30% year-on-year growth

Still In Cask, a blockchain-powered platform created by Liam Hirt has reported a 30% increase in users year on year, highlighting growing interest in fractional whisky ownership, by the bottle and not by the cask.

Four chefs, four courses: The Idle Rocks introduces the first evening in its Reef Knot Chef series

On Saturday 28 March, The Idle Rocks hosts a standout chef collaboration at the Reef Knot Restaurant, bringing together four of Cornwall’s most exciting chefs for a four‑course tasting menu with paired wines.

St Austell Brewery hits 100% food waste diversion in pubs

To coincide with Food Waste Action Week, St Austell Brewery is marking one year of its award-winning waste initiative with a dramatic uplift in recycling and a new commitment to tackling food waste across its whole business.

South West Initiatives

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