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Bristol Coffee Festival to return bigger and better for 2024
After the success of the inaugural Bristol Coffee Festival in 2023, the event is set to return in September bigger and better than before.
The festival will once again be held at Bristol Beacon and use the Beacon Hall and Lantern Hall for the first time for a number of different panel talks, workshops and competitions, as well as there being dozens of different exhibitors from across the UK.
Bristol Coffee Festival is the biggest celebration of speciality coffee in the South West and this year will be supporting Caring In Bristol as its official charity.
is needed now More than ever
Dozens of exhibitors will be attending Bristol Coffee Festival on September 14 – photo: Ciara Hillyer
Festival founder, Joana Vieiralves Wood, says that the festival could only ever be held in her home city, where she is head of coffee at Bristol Loaf when not working on the festival or being a mum to two young children.
Brazil-born Joana said that the inaugural festival was a “massive success”, which spurred her on to organise it for a second time.
Joana wants the talks this year to be “really inspiring and beyond the coffee industry”.
“So someone who doesn’t know anything about the coffee industry can come and hear a talk about sustainability or management or other different subjects, and for it to bring them some kind of hope and inspiration.”
Festival founder Joana Vieiralves Wood and her family at the inaugural event in 2023 – photo: Ciara Hillyer
During a difficult time for the hospitality industry, Joana says that the festival celebrates community.
“Of course we have a little bit of hope with the new government but we still have to recover,” she says on a recent morning while enjoying a filter coffee at Dareshack on Wine Street.
“It’s really important for me that people can see that the community can still help and support each other.
“I don’t know of any other city in the UK, other than London, that has the same sense of community within the coffee industry that Bristol has.
“If you know that someone is in trouble, whether it’s your competitor or your friend, you help them out as much as possible.
“I believe that Bristol and the coffee scene here needs this. The coffee scene connects people so closely and we need to celebrate that.”
Full Court Press’ Fency Feng (right) having fun at 2023’s festival – photo: Ciara Hillyer
Away from drinking coffee, exhibitors at this year’s festival include illustrator Poppy Jackson and potter Rebecca Finnerty.
“You will be able to meet everyone from producers to those who make and serve coffee,” says Joana.
“If you have never been to a coffee festival before, you can expect a really fun and inspiring journey through coffee.”
Bristol Coffee Festival 2024 is taking place at Bristol Beacon on September 14. For tickets and more information, visit www.bristolcoffeefestival.co.uk
All photos: Ciara Hillyer
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