Local/Regional

Local/Regional Restaurants in the UK

At Circular Kitchens, our step-by-step framework helps restaurants across the UK become more local and regionally focused. This includes a detailed guide tailored for hospitality establishments, as well as a pledge and scoring system to evaluate progress towards sourcing locally and supporting regional circularity.

What is a local/regional restaurant?

At its core, a local or regional restaurant is an establishment committed to sourcing produce from the closest available local resources, adhering to the following principles:

We pledge to track the region of origin for all our ingredients, ensuring transparency and alignment with our local sourcing goals.
We commit to progressively increasing the local and regional content of all our ingredients over time, prioritising nearby producers to minimise environmental impact.
We ensure clear communication of the region of origin for all food and beverages on our menu, allowing customers to make informed decisions and support local agriculture.

While not all restaurants are able to fully implement these principles immediately, those striving to adopt local and regional practices remain dedicated to continuously improving their sourcing strategies and addressing challenges in innovative and effective ways.

Why consumers prefer local/regional restaurants?

Freshness and Quality: Restaurants that source local produce often provide fresher and higher-quality food. Because the ingredients travel shorter distances, they retain more nutrients and flavour, which significantly enhances the dining experience.
Supporting the Local Economy: Consumers appreciate knowing that their dining choices are contributing to the local economy. By supporting restaurants that prioritise local suppliers, they help sustain local farmers, artisans, and producers, fostering a stronger community.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Choosing restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. Consumers who are environmentally conscious prefer dining at establishments that are committed to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

How can a restaurant be more local/regional?

Becoming a local or regional restaurant involves taking deliberate steps to prioritise local sourcing across various aspects of the business. By adhering to the following principles, a restaurant can make significant progress towards a more sustainable, locally-focused operation:

Establish Relationships with Local Farmers: Begin by connecting with nearby farmers and producers to source fresh, seasonal ingredients. This direct partnership can help secure a consistent supply of high-quality, locally-grown produce.
Adjust Menus to Reflect Local Availability: Design menus that highlight ingredients that are in season locally. This step helps ensure the restaurant uses produce when it is freshest and reduces reliance on long-distance imports.
Communicate Local Sourcing to Customers: Update menu descriptions and in-restaurant signage to clearly communicate the local origin of key ingredients. This transparency not only informs customers but also builds trust and encourages community support.

To understand further steps on how a restaurant can become fully local/regional, check out our Circular Kitchens guide:

Our Circular Kitchens Guide

Are there any 100% local/regional restaurants?

Currently, many of our Circular Kitchens are actively progressing towards becoming fully local and regional. They have already taken significant steps in this journey to prioritise local sourcing and support regional sustainability.

Learn more about our Circular Kitchens

Our Circular Kitchens Local/Regional Pledges

Our pledges are evaluated on a 1-3 star scale, allowing each establishment to progress through the circularity journey at a pace that suits their capabilities and resources. Our ‘buying local’ commitments for becoming a fully Circular Kitchen are as follows:

We pledge to track the region of origin of all our inputs
We have increased the local/regional content of all our inputs over time
We communicate the region of origin of our food and beverages on our menu