Food and Drink
With renowned food and drink festivals attracting international visitors to the county such as Ludlow Food and Drink festival, Shrewsbury Real Ale festival and the Church Stretton Food Festival and Bishop Castle Ale Trail. Niche local producers are keeping traditional methods of production alive and a large number of farmers markets taking place across all market towns. With global brands such as Müller locating to the County, Shropshire is recognised as a centre of excellence for food and drink.
The county is home to a significant number of national award winning food and drink producers and many major food processors.
Situated in the heart of the county, Shrewsbury is the chosen location for the region’s first dedicated Food Enterprise Centre, providing specialist support to new and diversifying food and drink processors. The centre boasts 12 units of 1,500 and 3,000 sq ft, designed to meet the highest food manufacturing standards. Each unit will have a production area with a walk in chiller and ambient storage, separate goods-in/out facilities and an office with IT links.
This ambitious project has been funded by Advantage West Midlands and Shropshire County Council. Karen Wright, Food and Drink Cluster Manager at AWM, said: “Businesses have been telling us there is a shortage of food-ready premises and that this is a barrier to growth. The Cluster sees Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre as a key project to develop businesses and networks and collaboration to grow the sector.”
Ludlow is Shropshire's food and drink capital and hosts the Ludlow Food Festival. Ludlow has a reputable selection of gourmet restaurants. Slow Food UK, the UK arm of the International Slow Food movement has established its national headquarters in Ludlow. Slow food is an international association with 83,000 members in 104 countries and five continents that promotes the enjoyment and protection of locally produced food products and regional cooking.
The BBC website reports that there are 800 pubs in Shropshire, 85 per cent of which now sell real ale. Shropshire is one of England's top real ale counties with over 14 microbreweries producing 60 or more varieties of ale.