MAKING A MARQUE®!

May 2008

Launched three years ago, the New Forest Marque® received a boost this week with the launch of a Reception Shop at a small hotel in Sway.
The Nurse’s Cottage Restaurant with Rooms in the village centre has for many years been lauded with awards, from Best Breakfast in Britain to Outstanding Customer Service. “Much of this success,” says Chef/Proprietor Tony Barnfield,” is down to our use of local produce, where appropriate, and the Marque® makes this much easier. Guests know what we use is genuinely local, and often organic, produce: the natural progression is to make such things readily available.”
The resulting Reception Shop opened this week, coinciding with a special Luncheon featuring New Forest Mushroom Millefeuille, Goujons of New Forest Barramundi and the first Strawberries of the season from Laverstoke Park’s organic farm just two miles away.
Opening the Shop, the Chairman of New Forest Produce Ltd., Ron Lakey of Owls Barn Organic Farm Shop at Sopley, said: “It’s people like Tony we need to push forward the message of New Forest food, drink and other items. We have now largely conquered the initial concerns of some Commoners, who realise the future prospects for local produce branded with the Marque®.”
Tony, too, sees a rosy future ahead for all concerned: “Producers, customers and those in between look set to benefit from the promotion of the New Forest Marque® – both now and in the future. And we believe that small concerns such as our Reception Shop will go a long way to making local produce both celebrated and successful.”
Hand-made soaps will jostle along with local honey, eggs, wine, flour, chocolates and more to attract the attention of visitors to The Nurse’s Cottage Restaurant with Rooms. The shop will also stock a variety of wine-saving accessories and wine glasses, plus local maps, guides and souvenirs.
“Only time will tell,” says an upbeat Tony Barnfield, “whether this is a one-off experience unlikely to be repeated or a model for future success.”

STATION ROAD, SWAY, LYMINGTON, HANTS. SO41 6BA
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