A North Wales company is celebrating winning a major tourism award by offering discounts to other firms.
Bodnant Welsh Food Centre scooped the North Wales Tourism Award at the prestigious Achievement Wales ceremony, held by the Daily Post at Bangor University’s Prichard Jones Hall.
The judges chose the company after hearing that it has seen revenue rise to £2.4m, up 35% from £1.77m in the centre’s first year of trading. It also welcomed 243,000 visitors – up from 214,000 (13.5%) on the previous year.
More than 80 people are employed in the farm shop, wine cellar, tea rooms, restaurant and farmhouse accommodation along with the Welsh Bee Centre, while more than 100 artisan food producers are represented at Bodnant.
Bodnant Welsh Food centre managing director Chris Morton is now inviting other companies to join in its success.
It is offering 15% off any hampers, Christmas meal or meeting room booking, made by December 12, irrespective of when the service is required.
Chris said: “I was delighted when Bodnant Welsh Food Centre was announced as the winner of the North Wales Tourism Award.
“The Award is a mark of achievement by all the staff at Bodnant, who put so much into ensuring that the centre is a success. In turn that helps the 100-plus artisan food producers who we showcase at Bodnant.
“We have only been in business for just over two years and in that time we’ve built up a thriving business, and we have great plans for the coming months. However, it’s always good to have that success recognised by independent judges.
“These awards are held in high regard by the business community of North Wales and so I’d like other companies to benefit from our success, by offering them this discount, so they can see for themselves what a great place Bodnant is, whether it’s for a Christmas meal or a meeting. Plus, by opting for one of our hampers, they can support other Welsh businesses.”
He told the judges in Bodnant’s entry: “We want to showcase Welsh food and drink – food is a major draw for visitors and we intend to build on that. We aim to be a year-round destination – people head here primarily to visit Bodnant. Our customers are those living in North Wales looking to pick up something delicious to eat; UK visitors on a day trip or short break; plus a growing number of overseas visitors.
“Around half of what is sold at the centre is made here on the estate – the dairy makes our creams, butter, award-winning cheeses and ice-creams. We use milk from our neighbour Gerallt Jones at Tal-y-Cafn, who has a herd of 80 Friesian cows. The whey from the cheese is used back on his fields, helping to keep the ground fertile.
“Those dairy products are on sale in our Farm Shop – more of a food hall – Tearoom, cookery school and the Hayloft restaurant, along with our farmhouse B&B accommodation. They also use the food that’s produced by our own bakery – breads, cakes and award-winning pastries.”
Bodnant Hampers range in price from £20 to over £250 and come in a wide range of presentations based on different themes, such as chocolate, champagne and chocolate, gourmet, lovers and Christmas. The wicker baskets, packed with Bodnant cheese, sparkling wine, brandy, whiskey, fudge, chocolate, jams, pates, cakes, biscuits and teas, are proving popular for those searching for a taste of North Wales.
For more information about Bodnant Welsh Food, go to www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk
