This year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair, taking place on 26 and 27 November 2018 at the showground in Llanelwedd, will host a unique ‘Start-up Farmers Market’ for 10 newly established food and drink businesses.
Being made possible due to a partnership between the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and the Agora project, the initiative aims to give these small businesses the opportunity to build confidence and key retail skills through a programme of training and support.
[aoa id=”1″]The 10 businesses selected to take part in the new Start-up Farmers Market at this year’s Winter Fair consist of enterprising individuals who have an aspiration to develop their idea into a thriving business. All 10 will receive targeting training, delivered by well-known food and drink specialist, Nerys Howell, before the Winter Fair, preparing them for their first day of trading at the event.[/aoa]
Being able to test the market in this way will enable these new businesses to carry out research and gain the skills and confidence to take their business to the next level… they may even see themselves in the Royal Welsh Food Hall next time!
Sarah James, Head of Business Development for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said:
“Food and Drink is so important to the future of the Welsh economy. As one of the largest shop windows for Welsh produce, the society is able to offer this new and unique opportunity as a starter platform for small businesses to grow with confidence, ensuring informed decisions are made with valuable feedback.
“It’s a brave thing to start a new venture, to start trading and present your produce to the general public. With support from the society and Agora, we hope this initiative will allow the future brands of Welsh food and drink to succeed.” added Sarah.
Agora is a brand-new Welsh Government funded project that provides free support to new and small businesses that produces goods that are grown, grazed and made in mid and south east Wales.
Rolant Tomos, Agora Project Manager, said: “It’s a great pleasure to see this partnership with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. The Agora team has been busy in recent months encouraging individuals and groups to take the leap and I look forward to seeing their new businesses trading for the very first time – indeed, it is going to be very exciting for them.”
He added: “It’s always nice to see a great idea turning into a real life, working business. I also hope the event will motivate others, and that we will meet future food, drink and craft entrepreneurs.”
Visitors to the Winter Fair will have the opportunity to visit and purchase food, drink and gifts from the Start-up Farmers Market, situated outside the society’s main office, during both days of the event. Don’t miss this opportunity to be one of the first to sample some of the future Welsh branded produce on offer!
For more information or an application form to apply for a space in the Start-up Farmers Market, please visit www.rwas.wales/start-up-farmers-market or www.menterabusnes.co.uk/agora
