HTA Catering Regional Event - South West
The Regional Member Events are back for 2026, and the first round is focused on catering. These four free-to-attend events will bring together garden centre, café, and restaurant teams to explore the latest trends, expert insights, and opportunities in this fast-growing area of the sector. Members are welcome to attend all events.
Why you should attend
Catering remains one of the strongest growth areas for garden centres. It now accounts for around 17% of total turnover (average) and has grown year-on-year for the past three years. In January (23%) and October (22%), catering was the largest department by turnover share. Customer demand is also rising: UK adults make around 148 million café visits each year, with 56% having visited a garden centre café in the last 12 months. Café performance has never been more important — or more full of opportunity.
The event programmes, specific themes, and speakers will be announced early next year, but you can secure your place(s) now by completing the booking form below.
We invite you to join us at The National Catering Equipment Centre, hosted by Space Catering Group. The centre showcases the best professional catering equipment on the market, giving you the chance to explore over 1,000 pieces of equipment
We will have a tour of the site and live cooking demos, you will also hear from experts within the industry including Space Catering Group, PleydellSmithyman, Costas Constantinou and Redfish Group.
These are informal events and a great place to meet other members. Please bring along your catering teams.
The event is free to attend, and lunch is included.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Key Details
Date: Thursday 26 February 2026
Time: 10.30 am - 3.30 pm
Venue: National Catering Equipment Centre
Address: St. Brendan's Way, Bristol, BS11 9HA
Agenda:
- Arrival- 10.30am – Drinks & Registration
- 11.00am - Introductions
- 11.15am- Tour of the site
- 1pm- Lunch – Live interactive cooking session & lunch.
- 2pm- Speaker – Counter vs Table service and hybrids of, Costas Constantinou
- 2.30-Demos
- 3pm- Maximising process in your coffee shop (ratios etc), PleydellSmithyman
- 3.30pm- Loyalty Schemes, Mike Anderson of Redfish Group
- 4pm-Finish – Explore & Shop
- Site is open until-5.30pm
Register to attend
Please complete the form with all the necessary details to book your place onto the HTA Catering Roadshow.
Should you have any questions or queries please contacts us below