Making it all happen

Organising Festival Weekend takes a lot of hard work. We’re grateful for everyone’s contribution to make making it happen.

The Dorset Seafood Festival was founded way back in 2008 by Brian Cooper and Roger Dalton, and subsequently masterminded by Brian’s children, Laura and Stuart. Their stewardship has seen the Festival grow and develop into one of the UK’s most recognised food and drink events.

In early 2024, Laura stepped back from her role, passing responsibility for management and administration to a group of small, local businesses and staunch festival supporters, led by Weyfish, Weymouth’s historic harbourside fishmonger, and local PR and communications agency, In The Bag PR, opening an exciting new chapter in the festival’s success story.

Weyfish is Weymouth’s traditional harbourside fishmonger, based in the historic Old Fish Market on Custom House Quay, with counters full of the freshest Dorset seafood and shellfish, landed daily right outside the shop. We’re a community business with strong ties to the local fleet, landing much of the town’s day boat catch. Behind the counters you’ll find experienced artisan fishmongers, ready to answer any question about how to prepare or cook Dorset seafood.

In the Bag is an award winning, full service PR and communications agency based in Weymouth, with the expertise, vision and connections to position your brand as a leader in its space. We deliver proven results to consistently position clients in front of new audiences spanning print, online, social and broadcast media. From traditional to cutting-edge, our bag of contacts, tools, resources and opportunities provides the foundation of unique campaigns.

“The Festival is a very special platform for our spectacular local seafood, as well as the many growers and producers that make Dorset such a fantastic food and drink lovers’ destination.

Importantly also, it’s a celebration of sustainability. The Weymouth fishing fleet is the archetype of sustainable fishing. This town is an example for coastal communities nationwide.”

Sean Cooper. Owner, Weyfish
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