South West Initiatives

From waterways to wildlife: Bays Brewery unveils 2026 charity brews

From its waterways and sheltered bays to the charities and communities that define South Devon, Bays Brewery is once again championing the best of its home patch with its 2026 Charity Brews.

News & Invitation: The Food WorksSW opens doors to food and drink businesses with Discovery Day

Building on its success in 2025, food and drink innovation centre The Food WorksSW is inviting brands back through its doors for another Discovery Day on Thursday 5th March, taking place from 9.30am until 2.30pm.

Salcombe Gin’s business Journey Continues with GWR partnership

Award-winning Devon distiller Salcombe Gin has partnered with Great Western Railway (GWR) to serve their newly launched aluminium miniature bottles onboard GWR’s Pullman Dining Car Service.

Taste of the West winners shine at glittering regional celebration

Two hundred guests gathered at Exeter’s Westpoint Arena on Tuesday 3rd February as the Taste of the West Awards recognised the South West’s finest food, drink, and hospitality businesses in an evening of celebration and achievement.

Cornish Bakery reveals six new locations

Cornish Bakery, the independent, founder-driven company first started in Mevagissey, Cornwall, has confirmed the locations where it will open six new bakeries by May 2026.

Dryad Gin recognised with Somerset Wildlife Gardening Award

Dryad Gin is delighted to announce it has been awarded a Somerset Wildlife Gardening Award by Somerset Wildlife Trust, recognising its commitment to creating a garden that actively supports wildlife, wellbeing and ecological recovery.

The Cotswold King of the Yorkshire Pudding loses his crown, long live The Queen of the Batter!

National Yorkshire Pudding Day was celebrated for the sixth time with a battle of professional chefs to see who makes the best traditional Sunday roast accompaniment – The Yorkshire Pudding.

Hall & Woodhouse creates new opportunities for hospitality entrepreneurs

Hall & Woodhouse invested more than £2.5 million into its Business Partner (tenanted) pubs in 2025, including a quarter of a million pounds on a major renovation of the historic Dolphin Hotel in Bovey Tracey, Devon.

Cotswold Yorkshire Pudding Day returns with new venue and a chef chasing a third title

The annual Cotswold Yorkshire Pudding Day returns this year at a new venue, with a reigning champion aiming to secure a third consecutive win.

An ancient Somerset tradition lives on at Sheppy’s Cider as Wassail returns

Sheppy’s Cider welcomed the local community to its annual Wassailing evening on Friday 23rd January, with over 450 attendees gathering at the cider farm near Taunton to celebrate one of Somerset’s oldest winter traditions.

Lympstone Manor launches ‘Quietcations’

Creative retreats, nature walks, poetry walks, a Book Butler and restorative stays on the Exe Estuary – Lympstone Manor launches ‘Quietcations’.

The Food WorksSW to host new funded events for food and drink businesses

One-of-a-kind food and drink innovation centre, The Food WorksSW in Weston-super-Mare is set to host a programme of events open to all UK food and drink businesses.

Food & Drink Festival returns, celebrating 30 years of British & Irish Cheese Awards

With the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival coming back to The Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallet on 21–22 March, organisers have announced an exciting programme for 2026.

Powderkeg expands contract brewing operation

Devon brewery Powderkeg expands its contract brewing service, adding new capacity and enhanced services for start-up and established brewers.

New importer brings cashews directly to Britain, without a 20,000 mile detour

A new Bristol-based importer has opened for business this month, working with West African growers to bring their cashews directly to the UK.

Thatchers launch interactive rugby game designed to support hospitality

Thatchers Cider is bringing the thrill of rugby to the heart of pubs with the launch of ‘Perfection in Every Drop Kick’.

South West Initiatives

Footer