Taste of Italy comes to Storrington

The event was organised by a partnership of Storrington Business Breakfast Club, Storrington and Sullington Parish Council, Horsham District Council and local Storrington businesses.

The heavy showers didn’t stop the shoppers coming to the market and enjoying many tasters on offer, with people buying authentic Italian produce such as olives, meats, pastas and oils as well as some delicious hot foods which could be eaten on site.

Local businesses also benefited from a bustling village, with the event driving more footfall than a typical Saturday.

Some local retailers including Appia Italian Restaurant, River House Gallery, Patisserie & Café and The White Horse Hotel, seized the opportunity with promotional flyers and free samples of their food.

The delicious tasters such as pasta, olives, mini Italian bites and ice cream went down very well with the shoppers in Storrington.

Local charity, Chanctonbury Lions who set up a weekly book and cake stand on Place Villerest in Old Mill Drive, also reported an increase in both footfall and sales, compared to a regular Saturday in the village.

A number of local business owners commented on Saturday that they had been considerably busier than usual.

The Storrington and District Classic and Sportscar Enthusiasts (SADCASE) group also organised for a hand-picked selection of Italian cars to be on display to complement the market offer including a 1926 Fiat Tourer, a Lamborghini and an Ultra Air Ferrari Dino.

Local Estate Agents, Guy Leonard & Co and King & Chasemore sponsored the event.

Guy Leonard & Co supported with the marketing and promotions including social media for the event and ran a stall on the day, inviting the public to guess the values of three exclusive Italian properties to win a bottle of Nyetimber.

King & Chasemore provided plenty of Italian flag bunting so many local businesses could dress their windows, with both agents advertising the event through bespoke-designed sales boards.

Appia Italian Restaurant ran an exclusive competition for the event, offering a meal to the value of £50, plus a bottle of house wine to the winner drawn from anyone who retweeted the event on Twitter.

The Storrington Business Breakfast Club which has representation from the Parish Council, Horsham District Council and local businesses is due to meet soon to review the event and discuss plans for future ventures.

Local businesses looking to be involved in future events should email [email protected] for further details of the monthly meetings.