Supporting New Business
The town council has created the website to encourage
local people to get involved in creating a better future for the whole
town. Bideford is a forward looking community and provides a great oppurtunity
for investment and the creation of new business.
We hope that the business pages will provide local people and investors from
outside the region information about the town and surrounding area that will
foster a climate of enterprise.
We will be providing information about where to go to get support when starting
up a new business and investors with an idea of the vibrancy and value of moving
their business to the areas in and around Bideford. We will always welcome stories
about new ventures and hope to generate a forum for business people, jobseekers
and training programs that gives a better picture of the North Devon marketplace.
Fair Trade Town
The
Fairtrade Town campaign was first launched in 2001 in Garstang, Lancashire,
under the initiative of Bruce Crowther, a local Oxfam supporter, and the
Garstang Oxfam Group. The initiative, which aimed to promote Fairtrade
certified goods in the town, was highly successful: within a couple of
months, awareness of the Fairtrade Mark jumped to over 70% in the town
while sales of Fairtrade certified goods increased significantly. Moreover,
over the course of the campaign, Garstang developed links with Fairtrade
cocoa farming communities in West Africa, which led to the twin town relationship
with New Koforidua, Ghana.
As the activities at Garstang gained wider notoriety,
the Fairtrade Foundation launched a set of Fairtrade Town Goals and an
Action Guide to encourage others to follow in the town's success. During
the 2001-2006 period, over 209 British towns were awarded the Fairtrade
status by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Farmers Market
Fresh fish, meats, cheese, vegetables, plants, chutney, pies, apple juice,
cider and real ales as well as hot food and ice cream are just some of
the locally produced products that will be on offer. This year's markets
hope to build on the success of it's first outing held on the 14th April
2007, which was popular with both locals and holidaymakers, and showcased
the Torridge area's wonderful range of food and drink in the pleasant
surroundings of Bideford's refurbished quayside.
Come and support your local producers! Markets will take place on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month throughout the summer season.