The Venus Company's first ever beach music festival will take place at Blackpool Sands on Saturday 8th July and, in line with The Venus Company's strong commitment to the environment, the theme for the festival is 'Loving the Beach'. Michael Smith, co-owner of The Venus Company explains: “Our mission is to be the greenest café and shop operator and we are always looking for ways to contribute to preserving our local environments. We see this festival as a great opportunity to get more people to think about what they can do to care for our beautiful beaches and oceans whilst, of course, enjoying all the fun of a great family festival.”

The Venus Company's ethos has led them to winning a number of local, national and international awards including the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development (in 2005 and then again in 2010), whose judges described them as 'a rare example of a sustainable café chain. Michael continues: “We have invited a number of organisations to support the event such as South Devon AONB, The Marine Conservation Society, Devon Wildlife Trust and Beach Schools South West who will all be on hand to provide information, demonstrations and fun activities around important environmental messages. For example, we want to get people thinking about how the things they do upstream can affect their fun downstream, at the beach.”

The festival will take place at the stunning Blackpool Sands which was recently featured in The Sunday Times' Best British Beaches list and ticket holders will enjoy a brilliant day of music, food and family fun. The festival promises to be a big summer hit and has already been highlighted in theguardian.com as one of the top UK coastal festivals of the season.

The music starts at 12pm, with local bands 'Mafia 4' and 'Three Bags Full' supporting legendary headline act 'Saloon Star' who play everything from swing and country to blues, funk, reggae and pop with some rock thrown in for good measure. There will also be plenty of entertainment for the children including Punch and Judy shows and face painting.

There will be delicious local food and drink available from the Venus café until 4pm and the takeaway until 8pm. The Bays Brewery drinks tent is open 11am -11pm. Plus there will be a limited number of VIP tickets which will entitle holders to a fabulous three course evening meal created using locally-sourced produce and served up at their table right in front of the stage.

Michael Smith comments: “We are really excited about our new festival and our aim is to ensure the whole family enjoys a fantastic day out and everyone takes home a bit of our 'Loving the Beach' philosophy.”

Tickets are available to purchase now via Eventbrite (search for Venus Loving the Beach Festival)

• £15 per adult (over 16)
• £5 per child (under 16)
• Each paying adult can take one child under 11 years old for free (standard entry only not VIP)
• VIP tickets £45 - to include a 3-course set menu of locally sourced produce. Limited availability and early booking advised. Two sittings, 5pm and 8pm.

On site car parking will be available at a cost of £5 per car for the day.

For more details and how to book please visit, www.lovingthebeach.co.uk

*Café closed for general admission from 4pm, Venus takeaway open until 8pm

#LovingtheBeachFest

– ENDS –

Notes to the Editor:

1. The Venus Company began life at Blackpool Sands in Devon and has kept beachgoers fed and watered with delicious food and drink for 22 years. 
2. They have six sites across the West Country including Blackpool Sands, East Portlemouth, Bigbury on Sea, Tolcarne, Watergate Bay and their only inland café at The Shops at Dartington.
3. The Venus Company's philosophy is best summed up by the phrase 'Loving the Beach'. 
4. They have twice won the Queen's Award for Sustainable Development (in 2010 and 2005).  One of only ten companies throughout the UK to have been awarded a sustainability honour in 2010 and one of only eight companies to have achieved the award in 2005. 

For further information, photography or an interview with Michael Smith co-owner of The Venus Company please contact:

Hayley at RAW PR and Marketing - hayley@rawprandmarketing.co.uk 

Telephone: 07887474104

Twitter: @RawSW