Tesco lends helping hand to festival participants

Horsham District Council, as the organiser of the Big Nibble and ongoing month long 2014 Food and Drink Festival, has always staunchly supported its local produce businesses.

This year the national supermarket chains have also shown their support to local Horsham district food and drink producers.

Tesco’s Broadbridge Heath Superstore is helping to promote local suppliers throughout the 4 weeks of the Food and Drink Festival.

Every weekend from September 13 to October 5, local food and drink businesses who are taking part in the 2014 Food and Drink Festival have been provided with a prime site just outside the front of the superstore to promote and sell their specialist wares.

Tesco Broadbridge Heath superstore manager Lee Laflain said: “Tesco has been a part of the community for the last 25 years but I am delighted that over the last nine months we have been more supportive locally and appreciate the opportunity to be able to use our scale for mutual benefit.

“It’s rewarding to be able to help promote local businesses because we understand the value they bring to our area and their own success.”

The local businesses that are benefitting from this fantastic opportunity are Bangers Galore (Horsham), The Hungry Guest (Horsham Markets), Wimblehurst Chocolates (Horsham), The Linseed Farm (Partridge Green), Bookham Harrisons Farms Ltd (Rudgwick) and The Fresh Fish Shop (Cowfold and Haywards Heath).

Sebastien Candelon from The Fresh Fish Shop in Cowfold and Haywards Heath said: “The Fresh Fish Shop has been established for well over 30 years and is delighted that Tesco has taken the initiative to work alongside local businesses in this way.

“This marks a big step for us to be able to trade alongside a giant corporation with a world recognised brand. We hope that this small step can lead to future success where companies big or small can help each other out in any way to make it a better experience for the communities around us.”

Additionally, this year Sainsbury’s Horsham store sponsored the Crazy Food Figure competition as part of the ‘Little Nibble’ children’s event at the Big Nibble launch.

Additional information:

Horsham District Council contact: Leigh Chambers 01403 215264

Tesco Store contact: Judy Binstead 01403 342904

Itinerary:

Saturday 13 September The Linseed Farm - Tel: 01403 730326 - Durwin Banks

Sunday 14 September Bangers Galore – Tel: 01403 262233 – David Bell

Saturday 20 September The Hungry Guest – Tel: 01798 342803 – Chloe Rice

Sunday 21 September The Fresh Fish Shop – Tel: 01444 616404 – Sebastien Candelon

Saturday 27 September Bookhams – Tel: 01403 339150 – Rob Bookham

Sunday 28 September Hungry Guest – as above

Saturday 4 October Wimblehurst Chocolates – Tel: 07769 644248 – Lindsey Williams

Sunday 5 October The Fresh Fish Shop – as above

The businesses will be at the Tesco Broadbridge Heath store during standard opening hours.

Report and picture contributed by Horsham District Council.