Food fair brought forward

NEXT year’s Shetland Food Fair will be held in September instead of October in a bid to attract more tourists to the event.

It is also hoped that by holding the fair earlier in the year, more people will be able to bring locally grown fruit, vegetables and crops to sell at the festival.

This year’s event saw local producers take in around £30,000, with visitor numbers up by 120 per cent on last year.

Shetland Food and Drink chairwoman Marian Armitage said she hoped the fair would now also become better known outside of the isles.

“We can see that the food fair has the potential to really make an impact outside of Shetland, giving those who are interested in food and drink an added reason to visit in September,” she said.

“We’re keen to capitalise on this and use it as an opportunity to grow the fair and its reputation.”

Next year’s food fair will take place over the weekend of 15-17 September at the Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick.