ORGANISERS of the eat:Wellington food and drink festival this summer are offering support to new businesses.

A new bursary, sponsored by Thatchers Cider, aims to encourage business start-ups in the area.

The bursary offers the chance for producers to benefit from a free  pitch  at the festival on Saturday, September 1, and support from the organisers and their designers throughout the year. 

Sarah Milner-Simonds, from the festival, said: “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 which have not engaged in the retail trade before.

Joint festival director Bev Milner-Simonds said: “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 this will be seized on by new traders.” 

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.”

Applications for the bursary need to be in before February 23. For more information about the bursary or the festival visit www.

eatfestivals.org