The Food WorksSW Announces October Open Day For Food and Drink Businesses

Food and drink innovation centre The Food Works^SW, which was featured on BBC1’s The One Show earlier this year, will be hosting a free open day on Thursday 2nd October from 10am to 3pm.  

Food and drink businesses will be able to tour the Weston-super-Mare based centre and view its five development kitchens, brand new photography studio and first look at the new canning line. Technical experts from The Food Works^SW will be hosting two group seminars on the day: How To Start Your Own Food or Drink Business with NPD and Innovation Manager Zoe Plant, and Food Safety in Your Business with Technical Manager Beth Winters.    

There will also be additional free one to one drop in clinics with a host of industry experts from PR, branding, marketing, finance and law, amongst others.

One to One Sessions available:

Marketing -  KW Marketing will be on hand to give businesses a clear plan of action that’s tailored to their brand.

PR - RAW Food and Drink PR will provide insights into how PR can help businesses drive awareness and sales.

Finance - get financial advice from Chartered accountants Westcotts. 

Branding - Tidy Studio will show how packaging and branding design can help brands stand out in a busy marketplace.

Intellectual Property - learn how to protect your brand with Stephens Scown solicitors.  

Photography - discuss photographic needs with Weathered Oak Studios. 

Investment - explore investment opportunities with FW Capital who invest in small and medium sized businesses.

Business Advice - get expert guidance on growing your business from The Hive. 

Technical Advice - the technical team at The Food Works SW can help businesses with new product development and compliance support.

IT Support - Nota Zone will be offering food safety software support.

HR support - Blossom HR will have a confidential space to talk through any HR or people challenges 

Lab Testing - Tentamus UK will be giving expert guidance on microbiology and chemistry testing.

SALSA (Safe And Local Supplier Approval) - find out all you need to know about food safety certification.

Packaging - get advice from independent label and pouch supplier Fountains Labels and Packaging. 

Created by North Somerset Council and operated by the Future Food Partnership CIC, a not-for-private-profit Community Interest Company, The Food Works^SW provides start-ups, established companies and hospitality businesses with the experience and equipment they need to grow and innovate.

The centre has also recently announced its first ever partnership opportunity that will give businesses the chance to support the team, provide advice and guidance to both existing and emerging food and drink brands, and become an integral part of the country’s food, drink and hospitality scene.  To find out more about its partnership opportunities, please visit www.foodworks-sw.co.uk/workingwithus.

To book your sessions, go to foodworks-sw.co.uk or  eventbrite.com.

For more information about The Food Works^SW, visit foodworks-sw.co.uk, or follow @foodworks_sw on Instagram, Facebook and X. 

-ENDS-

For images please see this link. 

For further information please contact - Rebecca Payne: rebecca@rawfoodanddrink.co.uk

Notes to Editor

About The Food Works^SW

• The centre was created by North Somerset Council following feedback from food and drink producers that they needed facilities and support as it wasn't available elsewhere. For many, this limited their ability to grow their business and create jobs. The centre now helps UK-based businesses of all kinds - from start-ups to well-established companies and hospitality businesses - to grow or diversify their product offering. Not only does this support the sector, it underpins the council’s goal to strengthen economic growth across the area.

• The centre is operated by the Future Food Partnership, a not-for-private-profit Community Interest Company.

• The Food Works^SW food innovation centre is home to five development kitchens, each containing specialist equipment centred around creating different products including dairy, bakery and drinks. These are available for flexible short-term hire by food and drink businesses of all sizes to test, develop and manufacture their products. Specific information about the kitchens and the equipment available can be found at www.foodworks-sw.co.uk/development-kitchen-hire.

• The development kitchens, which are available with or without onsite technical and development support, contain specialist equipment tailored to the areas within the industry - bakery, dairy, drinks, commercial and trial. Flexible short-term contract hire is available for businesses of all sizes to test, develop and manufacture their food and drink products or dishes.

• The Food Works^SW technical team provides businesses with support including food safety and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP); developing a product; scaling up production; product costing; labelling compliance; and certification such as British Retail Consortium (BRCGS) and Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA). More information can be found at www.foodworks-sw.co.uk/technical-support. Support bundles are also now available: www.foodworks-sw.co.uk/bundles 

• All of the 12 on-site food-grade business units at The Food Works^SW are currently let and in use by food and drink producers. With 24/7 access to the secure sites, the units contain food-grade non-slip resin flooring, a staff kitchen and changing area, roller shutter doors, three and single phase electricity, video intercom system and access control, discounted use of the development kitchen space and meeting rooms, access to specialist business and technical development support through the site operators, The Future Food Partnership CIC.

• The food and drink innovation centre also includes meeting rooms, conference facilities and a coffee shop where events can be hosted. Anyone is welcome - businesses do not have to operate in the food and drink sector to book these facilities.

For further information please contact - Rebecca Payne: rebecca@rawfoodanddrink.co.uk

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