Editor ’s Foreword

With a warm summer for parts of the country forecast it feels as though we can allow ourselves to be just a little more optimistic about the food and drink sector

There are still huge challenges that the industry is facing, of course and many businesses are struggling hugely due to spiralling costs recruitment issues and other problems

But the sunshine does at least allow us to reflect on how diverse our sector is in this country In our pages this issue we will learn about brewing gin made in the heart of the country BBQs the whole spectrum of summer food and drink, produced right here

If circumstances will allow, and no more heavy blows are dealt to the industry it does feel like the range of manufacturing producing and retailing on offer is something that we should, cautiously perhaps, start to celebrate a bit more loudly

David Barnett

CHIEF EDITOR