Press Releases
Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, which is run in conjunction with the Trade Fair, at the SECC at the same time has seen a 25% increase in new stands.
Producers from all over the UK, but predominantly Scotland, see Scotland’s Trade Fair as a key platform to showcase their products to retailers and buyers, making it a unique buying opportunity. At the heart of the Show is the Launch Gallery, which has doubled this year with a huge increase in the number of original, new companies with products such as contemporary Scottish gifts from Snapdragon in Stirlingshire, Scottish styled trolley cases, slate boards from Islay, handmade Harris tweed hats from The Frilly Ghillie and exquisite Scottish glass and silver jewellery.
This rush of new talent shows that in spite of the downturn there are still countless artistic people coming up with new gift, jewellery, textile and culinary ideas, many of them from Scotland. They will complement traditional exhibitors such as Johnstons of Elgin, Ness Clothing and Ortak, many of whom will be launching their 2010 collections.
Springboard Organiser Mark Saunders said: “We have been delighted to see that there are so many fresh, genuinely new gift and food ideas this year and keen to give this entrepreneurship a chance to succeed and flourish. Given the timing of the Shows in January we offer buyers and retailers an opportunity to stock some excellent goods for the 2010 summer season, and see products that would not be on show anywhere else.”
Michelle Costigan, buyer for the National Trust for Scotland said at this year’s Show: “There is not enough time to get round as there are so many interesting stands with exciting products on show.” In addition Cheryl Sievewright who owns many gift and fashion shops in Doune reported: “It is so encouraging to see so many excellent products created in Scotland, especially on the fashion side.”
Scotland’s Speciality Food Show
Scotland has long been seen as a country of innovative fine food, and buyers from farm shops, delis and food retailers will not be disappointed with a quarter of the stands being from new exhibitors. With products such as gluten and dairy free ice cream from East Lothian, artisan desserts from Ayrshire, rapeseed oil from Perthshire and garlic from the Isle of Wight there is a good variety of fine food on show.
Sue Montgomery from Ardardan Farm Shop and Garden Centre in Argyll said: “This is a key show for us and other farm shops as we can find out what’s new and re-stock for the coming year.” Alex Evans from Westmoreland in Cumbria added: “We stock a lot of fine Scottish produce and with progressively growing sales this Show is the ideal opportunity to find new Scottish suppliers.”
Over the three days some 5000 buyers from department stores, multiples, mail-order and online, tourist attractions and independent retailers will visit the Shows.
- Ends –
Selected Exhibitors to Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring:
Snapdragon – stylish unique Scottish gifts and homewares
Picture Case – distinctive pictorial trolley suitcases
AnElephant Cant – unique waje - wall jewellery
Scott Inness – tea towels, bags and aprons with contemporary Scottish designs
Budzi Bags – recycled bags combining community groups in South Africa with Scottish materials
Giftelope – chic gift envelopes to take the hassle out of gift wrapping
Lochcarron – Scottish textiles
Kit Heath – distinctive jewellery
Tartan Spirit – glass hearts and exquisite fine Scottish jewellery
Sheila Fleet – Orcadian jewellery
Scottish Fine Soaps
Selected Exhibitors to Scotland’s Speciality Food Show
Bellhaven Fruit Farm – gluten, dairy free ice cream
Scomac – whisky based sauces for cooking
Summer Harvest – rapeseed oil from Perthshire
The Fudge Kitchen – butter free fudge
Sloe Motion – alcoholic drinks made using sloes
Yorkshire Hemp – delicious chocolates containing hemp
Cookroom – gluten free cakes and baking
The Garlic Farm – all things made from garlic from The Isle of Wight
Note to Editors:
Scotland’s Trade Fair, Spring and Scotland’s Speciality Food Show – 24-26 January 2010, SECC, Glasgow
Organised by Springboard Events - Tel: 01877 385772
www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk
www.scotlandsspecialityfoodshow.com
For further press information, please contact:
Fenella Taylor at Fenella Taylor PR
Tel: 01389 830390 Mobile: 07721 324696
Email: fenella@fenellataylorpr.co.uk
