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Sheffield celebrates Food Festival and 2,800 jobs saved in Ireland

Over 40,000 people took part in Sheffield's Food Festival last week, which included stalls, masterclasses and a mass picnic. The festival provides local food businesses with a valuable platform to promote their produce which in turn boosts the local economy and creates local food jobs. In Ireland it was announced that the retailer Superquinn would be bought by the Musgrave group which will save almost 3,000 jobs in the national food industry.

Over 40,000 people took part in Sheffield's Food Festival last week, which included stalls, masterclasses and a mass picnic. The festival provides local food businesses with a valuable platform to promote their produce which in turn boosts the local economy and creates local food jobs. In Ireland it was announced that the retailer Superquinn would be bought by the Musgrave group which will save almost 3,000 jobs in the national food industry.

City Food Festival declared 'an outstanding success'
Seven Hills WI judges (from left): Liz Dracas, Vickie Cunningham, Anna Tebble
Published on Monday 18 July 2011 15:03
SHEFFIELD city centre came alive at the weekend as Sheffield's second Food Festival reached a climax with a food market in Fargate, a farmyard in Barker's Pool and a mass picnic in the Peace Gardens.
It was the culmination of a week of activities that took the now-annual celebration to a new level, with communities citywide getting in on the action.
Organisers were delighted with public support for the festival, with more than 40,000 people taking part over the week.
Some of the most popular events included foraging sessions and masterclasses in everything from chocolate making to wine tasting.
Focal point was the Festival Kitchen in a tent at the top of Fargate, home to a pop-up restaurant from the Milestone, cream teas from Seven Hills WI and a full programme of demonstrations featuring top local chefs including Nathan Smith (Old Vicarage), James Wallis (Milestone), Simon Ayres (Wig & Pen), Rupert Rowley (Fischer's) and Jamie Bosworth (Gunstones).
The Festival Picnic also proved popular, with outlets set up by a diverse array of local restaurants, a real ale tent and a teddy bears' picnic hosted by Fancie cupcakes.
Niki Baker, head of Eat Sheffield, declared the festival 'an overwhelming success.'
"It was great to have the help and support of Sheffielders to create such a fabulous event," she said. "I've had tremendous feedback from those involved, praising the camaraderie and volunteering their support again.
"It would be great to build on this festival for future years."
Those who went along to join in the fun were equally enthusiastic: "It was great to see our city centre buzzing… A big thank you must go to the staff, businesses and volunteers who ensured the event was an outstanding success," said Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who launched the festival last year.
"Not only does it provide local people with the opportunity to sample a vast array of first-class food and drink, it also provides a valuable platform for dozens of local businesses to promote their quality produce, boosting our local economy and helping to sustain and create local jobs."
www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk
2,800 jobs saved as Musgrave buys Superquinn
Food wholesaler Musgrave Group has reached an agreement to purchase the Irish supermarket Superquinn, it was announced today.
The grocer went into receivership last night after struggling to deal with huge debts and a tough consumer environment, but Musgrave's offer to buy the business will help secure the jobs of 2,800 members of staff and keep the supermarket's brand alive.
Superquinn will remain under the management of joint receivers, including KPMG, while regulatory approval is sought and the consequent completion of the transaction takes place.
Irish family owned company Musgrave, which already operates brands such as Centra in its home country and Budgens and Londis in the UK, has stated that it intends to invest in the Supequinn stores and maintain relationships with the grocer's current supplier network.
Chris Martin, CEO of Musgrave, said: "Having come to this agreement with the joint receivers, we are excited by this opportunity.
"Purchasing Superquinn, when approved, supports our growth agenda and will sustain our competitiveness."
In December last year Superquinn appointed former Boots director Andrew Street as CEO, who was tasked with helping turn around the company's fortunes and growing the retailer's store portfolio.
Problems with the Irish economy and low consumer confidence across the country have had a negative impact on sales at the supermarket group, leading to today's takeover offer from Musgrave.
Martin added: "We are looking forward to working with the Superquinn team to develop the future of the business."
www.retailgazette.co.uk

City Food Festival declared 'an outstanding success'

SHEFFIELD city centre came alive at the weekend as Sheffield's second Food Festival reached a climax with a food market in Fargate, a farmyard in Barker's Pool and a mass picnic in the Peace Gardens.

It was the culmination of a week of activities that took the now-annual celebration to a new level, with communities citywide getting in on the action.

Organisers were delighted with public support for the festival, with more than 40,000 people taking part over the week.

Some of the most popular events included foraging sessions and masterclasses in everything from chocolate making to wine tasting.

Focal point was the Festival Kitchen in a tent at the top of Fargate, home to a pop-up restaurant from the Milestone, cream teas from Seven Hills WI and a full programme of demonstrations featuring top local chefs including Nathan Smith (Old Vicarage), James Wallis (Milestone), Simon Ayres (Wig & Pen), Rupert Rowley (Fischer's) and Jamie Bosworth (Gunstones).

The Festival Picnic also proved popular, with outlets set up by a diverse array of local restaurants, a real ale tent and a teddy bears' picnic hosted by Fancie cupcakes.

Niki Baker, head of Eat Sheffield, declared the festival 'an overwhelming success.'

"It was great to have the help and support of Sheffielders to create such a fabulous event," she said. "I've had tremendous feedback from those involved, praising the camaraderie and volunteering their support again.

"It would be great to build on this festival for future years."

Those who went along to join in the fun were equally enthusiastic: "It was great to see our city centre buzzing… A big thank you must go to the staff, businesses and volunteers who ensured the event was an outstanding success," said Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who launched the festival last year.

"Not only does it provide local people with the opportunity to sample a vast array of first-class food and drink, it also provides a valuable platform for dozens of local businesses to promote their quality produce, boosting our local economy and helping to sustain and create local jobs."

www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk

 

2,800 jobs saved as Musgrave buys Superquinn

Food wholesaler Musgrave Group has reached an agreement to purchase the Irish supermarket Superquinn, it was announced today.

The grocer went into receivership last night after struggling to deal with huge debts and a tough consumer environment, but Musgrave's offer to buy the business will help secure the jobs of 2,800 members of staff and keep the supermarket's brand alive.

Superquinn will remain under the management of joint receivers, including KPMG, while regulatory approval is sought and the consequent completion of the transaction takes place.

Irish family owned company Musgrave, which already operates brands such as Centra in its home country and Budgens and Londis in the UK, has stated that it intends to invest in the Supequinn stores and maintain relationships with the grocer's current supplier network.

Chris Martin, CEO of Musgrave, said: "Having come to this agreement with the joint receivers, we are excited by this opportunity.

"Purchasing Superquinn, when approved, supports our growth agenda and will sustain our competitiveness."

In December last year Superquinn appointed former Boots director Andrew Street as CEO, who was tasked with helping turn around the company's fortunes and growing the retailer's store portfolio.

Problems with the Irish economy and low consumer confidence across the country have had a negative impact on sales at the supermarket group, leading to today's takeover offer from Musgrave.

Martin added: "We are looking forward to working with the Superquinn team to develop the future of the business."

www.retailgazette.co.uk

 

 

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