We’re really pleased to be supporting Eat:Festivals this year with a new bursary, which aims to encourage business start-up and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Organisers of Eat:Festivals, which take place in Wellington, Taunton, Burnham-on-Sea, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare are offering support to new businesses to enable them to make their first steps into trading.

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 says,

“We want local businesses to benefit from the festival. By partnering with Thatchers Cider we are able to offer a chance for new businesses to 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 is for food and drink producers who have not engaged in retail trade before.

Bev Milner Simonds, joint festival director says,

“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 www.eatfestivals.org and we hope that this will be seized on by new traders.”

Martin Thatcher adds, “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 23 February.

For more information about the bursary or the festival visit www.eatfestivals.org