South West Initiatives

Over 50 Cornish hospitality businesses unite at Heligan for Earth Day sustainability event

More than 50 hospitality businesses from across Cornwall came together on Earth Day for Roots: Planet – the county’s first sector wide sustainability event designed specifically for the hospitality industry.

Shop Cotswolds brings Cotswolds producers together at Woodchester Valley Vineyard

Shop Cotswolds was delighted to welcome a high number of food and drink producers from across the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean to a successful networking event hosted by Woodchester Valley Vineyard.

Visit West announces new identity for its regional Convention Bureau with new name and new look

Visit West, the official Local Visitor Economy Partnership for Bristol, Bath and the West of England, has today announced the relaunch of its Convention Bureau under a bold new identity.

Introducing Thatchers brand new Blood Orange 0.0%

Thatchers, the family cider maker behind the UK’s most popular Low & No cider, is expanding its range with Thatchers Blood Orange 0.0%.

Community takeover of Ponsanooth’s pub to host its first Beer Festival

Ponsanooth Community Benefit Society (PCBS) – the volunteer group leading the campaign to buy back the village’s last pub through a community share offer – has taken over the Stag Hunt Inn for the whole of April.

Turning up the heat: Easton Chilli’s new cookery school

Bristol-based artisan producer Easton Chilli has unveiled an exciting new chapter in its growth story with the launch of its dedicated Cookery School, bringing hands-on, chilli-focused classes to the heart of its Easton HQ.

RAVE Coffee collaborates with (Un)ordinary for first ever oat drink blend

Cirencester-based independent roastery, RAVE Coffee will release its first blend created specifically for oat drinks this month, in collaboration with (Un)ordinary from Winchester.

Aussie BBQ favourite fires up new venue in Cornwall

Smoke, fire and big, bold flavours are taking centre stage in Cornwall as The Aussie Smoker opens the doors to its first permanent venue in Penryn.

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.

South West Initiatives

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