Bishop's Waltham Bites
Dedicated foodies and fans of local produce are set to flock to Bishop’s Waltham Town Centre on Saturday 1 October for the first “Bishop’s Waltham Bites” event taking place at shops and restaurants in the town centre.
The idea for the event was developed by Bishop’s Waltham’s Town Team; and a group of 6 different local organisations working together to ensure the town centre remains vibrant and attractive to locals and visitors. For a modest fee of £4 participants will be taken on a tasty trail around the town, sampling dishes and produce on offer in 8 different outlets, ranging from a sweet shop to a fishmonger.
The event is part of a wider programme of events and projects undertaken by the Town Team to achieve its aims. Chairman of Bishop’s Waltham Town Team, Tony Kippenberger said
As a group we are committed to promoting our town centre as a friendly, flourishing and fun place to visit. We are one of a decreasing number of high streets with a baker, butcher, green grocer and fishmonger and this event encourages people to step inside these shops and other restaurants, pubs and retailers to see just what’s on offer.
The event is being supported by The Southern Co-operative and participating outlets are providing the tasters without charge which means that all of the proceeds generated by the participation fees can be donated to Bishop’s Waltham Junior School. The school will use the funds to develop their range of cookery equipment and plant up their vegetable garden.
Steve Miller, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Bishop’s Waltham resident said
The Town Team, in collaboration with local businesses and organisations, has really succeeded in making Bishop’s Waltham a place where there is always something going on. Events such as Bishop’s Waltham Bites introduce locals and outsiders to businesses they may never have otherwise visited and I’m looking forward to tasting something new myself.
Winchester City Council supports Bishop’s Waltham Town Team through its Market Towns Development work. The financial support received from The Southern Co-operative for this event is part of a wider grant awarded to the Council to help fund this development work in Bishop’s Waltham, Alresford, Wickham and Denmead.