The Christchurch Food & Wine Festival is a colourful event, during which thousands of visitors descend on the picturesque Dorset town to enjoy cookery demonstrations, an International Food Market and competitions, or simply to enjoy the fine dining offered by local eateries. ICM is one of the festival’s main sponsors and is proud to support an event which has such significant value to the local community, both in terms of boosting the economy – particularly in terms of tourism – and increasing understanding of the importance of healthy eating.

The very first Christchurch Food & Wine Festival was held in 2000 as a community event to celebrate the Millennium. It was a huge success and was embraced so warmly by visitors and the local community that it has been held every year since, with an estimated 50,000 visitors flocking to Christchurch on the show’s busiest days.

The festival is perfectly surmised by Christchurch Borough Council Councillor Sally Derham Wilkes, who describes it as: “A wonderful way of promoting Christchurch as a place to enjoy a high quality eating experience in a beautiful place.” Its continued popularity and success can indeed be attributed to its enviable setting in the idyllic Dorset medieval town of Christchurch. Nestled between the New Forest and Bournemouth, at the point at which the rivers Stour and Avon meet, Christchurch is perfectly placed for those looking to explore the charms of Dorset’s beaches, historical sites and countryside. With a history dating back to the Stone Age, Christchurch boasts many hidden charms. A walk around the town’s cobbled streets reveals beautiful gardens alongside the river, the Great Chamber castle ruins, a magnificent Priory Church and a quaint, but busy, high street.

Colour and vibrancy

When the food and wine festival comes to town, Christchurch becomes even more vibrant and charming – a place that, according to Councillor Wilkes, residents can take even more pride in. She added: The festival is probably the best of its kind in the region and the community feels proud to be associated with it because it’s such a well planned and enjoyable event envied by many of our neighbouring towns.”

The most popular day of the festival is the hosting of the International Food Market, when the main high street becomes awash with colourful stalls displaying delicious foods, wines and gifts – with many stallholders travelling from across Europe to treat visitors to their regions’ culinary delights. Christchurch resident Mrs Cilla Evans has enjoyed the delicacies offered by the market since it began in 2000. She said: “My family now plan their holiday around the festival, particularly so they can go to the food market. There are so many lovely stalls - we really are spoilt for choice. I mainly buy fresh fruit and vegetables, which have been delicious every time.”

For food-lovers looking for even more inspiration, a huge marquee in Saxon Square houses cookery demonstrations presented by some of the UK’s finest celebrity chefs. Top chefs appearing at the festival have included Paul Rankin, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Festival Patron Lesley Walters who have wowed the crowds with their mouth-watering dishes.

Boosting the local economy

Whilst the main purpose of Christchurch Food & Wine Festival is to provide visitors with entertaining and enjoyable experiences, it is important to consider the significant impact it has on the economic success of a town such as Christchurch. It provides, without doubt, a huge boost to local tourism and many events held during the festival’s eight days continually sell out.

The event generates a wealth of positive coverage in both the local and national press, which is sure to influence visitors in choosing the town as their holiday destination. The festival is sponsored by ICM Chief Executive Dr Alistair Somerville Ford, who, as an expert in the fields of Tourism and Business Development, understands the importance of such an event. He said: “Visitor numbers are critical to the economic success of a town such as Christchurch and the local business community, together with the Council, work hard to develop our own special identity and to ensure the festival offers a range of products and attractions which we hope will increase footfall and the flow of visitors to the local area.”

Dr Somerville Ford’s comments are reinforced by Christchurch Borough Council Chief Executive Michael Turvey who says the town relies heavily on jobs and income created through tourism in the area. He said: “Sandwiched between two very different tourist hot spots – the beaches of Bournemouth and the outstanding environment of the New Forest National Park – Christchurch has had to create its own niche market. To make our mark in the competitive tourism environment, Christchurch has to combine the best of the talents available in both the public and the private sectors. The festival has done a magnificent job of raising the profile of the Borough as a quality tourism destination for visitors, providing quality food and accommodation.”

« PreviousRead more »

1. Introduction
2. Skill development
3. A new charitable trust
4. Looking to the future
5. Photo Gallery
6. > View entire feature