BUSINESS LEADERS DISCUSS NATIONAL CIDER FESTIVAL

PLANS to create a National Cider Festival have stepped up a notch this week, when a group of business leaders from across the South West-met at the Creative Innovation Centre in the heart of Taunton – to discuss organising a showcase for 2019.

Organisers are looking to mimic Spain’s hugely successful Gijon cider event in Northern Spain, said Trade Expert Linda Middleton-Jones.

     Miss Jones, said: “We discussed options around the heritage of cider, export opportunities, and especially supporting UK small producers to give them a bigger shop window on the national stage.”

The event will showcase apples, and promoting our finest brands with Plymouth, Taunton, and Bristol all interested in showcasing the UK’s first ever National Cider Festival, she said.

“We have a lot of interest from British cider producers and manufacturers, and a leading bank is interested in supporting a business fact finding mission to Gijon next year to help kick-start the project for the Summer of 2019.”

International trade expert Linda Middleton-Jones coordinated the meeting in Taunton with plans for a bigger expression of interest seminar in the New Year, she said.

The Natural Cider of Gijon festival has been staged in the largest city of Asturias for many decades, and features extensive programme of activities including art and craft manufacturers, apple markets, cider buses, competitions, music, food tasting, theatre, cider cellars.

Anyone looking for more information can email: linda@middleton-jones.com