CENTRAL SOUTH FOOD & DRINK TRADE EXPO
BUYERS FROM THE CRUISE INDUSTRY, HOSPITALITY AND BEYOND MET FOOD AND
BUYERS FLOCK TO THE CENTRAL SOUTH FOOD AND DRINK TRADE EXPO
DRINK PRODUCERS FROM ACROSS THE
REGION AT THE CENTRAL SOUTH FOOD AND DRINK TRADE EXPO. The event, which is organised by Business South in association with partners including Hampshire Fare, Carnival UK, Comax, Cavendish Ships Stores, Polymedia PR and marketing, and Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl, attracted 400 people through the door to the produce showcase event. Buyers including major names such as Carnival UK, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Marwell Zoo and Dike & Son Ltd attended the event alongside 70 producers of everything from cheese and gelato to chocolate and spicy sauces.
The day got underway with a welcome from Business South CEO Leigh-Sara Timberlake. She said: “Over the years we’ve had brilliant stories of how producers have had their companies transformed as a result of meeting buyers who came to this show. “Mike Smales’ Lyburn cheese is on the cruise ships departing from Southampton as a direct result of talking to the cruise buyers here – and orders from pubs and restaurants across the region are regularly secured at this event. Nick Wenman, Chair of Wine GB, explained English wine was now established as a premium product, with 10m bottles of wine produced every year. He encouraged hotels and restaurants to sell English wine by the glass to support the homegrown wine industry.
SPRING / 2026
BUSINESSSOUTH.ORG
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