South West News

From a family dream to a Cornish icon: Healeys celebrates 40 years at the farm

Founded by David and Kay Healey in 1980, the family have evolved the business through innovation, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit – growing from a small cyder-making venture into one of the region’s most recognisable brands.

Visit West launches new screen tourism campaign with blockbuster-inspired film

A new short film called Starring Bristol has been launched by Visit West today, showcasing some of the blockbuster productions filmed in Bristol to encourage visitors and locals to ‘step onto set and find your favourite scene’ as part of a new screen tourism campaign.

Great British Menu star Simmie Vedi joins team at hospitality tech firm

A high-profile chef has taken up a new role in the hospitality industry, joining the team at the Leafe food hygiene and compliance management app.

The Real Olive Company launches its first high-polyphenol, unfiltered EVOO

The Real Olive Company has added a new edition to its oil range, an organic, unfiltered, polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil in 750ml cans. This oil is made from single-varietal Koroneiki olives grown on one organic grove within the P.G.I. Lakonia region of Greece.

Baboo Gelato becomes first ice cream maker to win three consecutive Great Taste 3-Star Awards 

Dorset producer’s Hazelnut gelato takes the industry’s highest accolade for the third year running — making Baboo one of only three companies across the whole of Great Taste, and understood to be the only ice cream or gelato producer, to win a 3-star in 2024, 2025 and 2026 

Sharpham Cheese celebrates double success: Savour and Ticklemore achieve prestigious Great Taste 3-Star rating

Sharpham Cheese has achieved a remarkable double win in the 2026 Great Taste Awards, with its Savour and Ticklemore both receiving the heralded 3-star rating.

Taunton steps back into the 1920s for Sea Centaur Gin launch

Guests were transported to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties on Saturday evening for the launch of Sea Centaur Martini Gin, the latest award-winning spirit from Somerset distiller Becky Wright of Dryad Gin.

Stars align at White Lake as cheesemaker wins two Great Taste 3-star awards

Somerset-based cheesemaker, White Lake Cheese has done the double at Great Taste 2026, scoring highly prestigious 3-star ratings for two of its hand-crafted cheeses.

Firebrand Brewing Co expands Cornish retail presence with listing in 86 stores

Independent Launceston-based brewery Firebrand Brewing Co has secured a significant retail milestone, with two of its beers launching into 86 Co-op stores across Cornwall.

Food & drink producers invited to free networking evening in Gloucester

Food and drink producers across the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean are being invited to a free networking event hosted by Shop Cotswolds, featuring insights from New Product Development specialist Zoe Plant of FoodworksSW.

Bristol hoteliers hope business rate cut is just for starters

Bristol hoteliers hope the announcement of a business rate cut for some hospitality businesses is just for starters – because it only ‘scratches the surface’ of what is needed.

Six talented young chefs from across the South West have secured their places in the final of South West Junior Chef of the Year 2026

The six finalists in the Junior Chef category, for under 16-year-olds, emerged from a series of county finals held throughout June and July, impressing expert judges with their skill, creativity and passion for local ingredients.