Bettys Café Tea Rooms, based in Harrogate, Yorkshire, has lodged a complaint with the Patent’s Office, after a local company starting selling a cheesey nibble using the name ’Betty’.

’Fat Betty Organic Cheesey Nibbles’ have been sold for the last two years by Jonathan Kidd, owner of Cheese & Co, under his Taste of Yorkshire label.

However Bettys, which operates six tearooms in the county, is said to have became worried about possible confusion over the product’s name. "We have a responsibility to protect the Bettys name for the future of our business and if we allow one business to use our name, we have to let others use it," said a spokesperson for Bettys.

Kidd told British Baker that his company had trademarked the name Fat Betty - unopposed - in October 2006, but in February 2007, Bettys made an initial complaint. "They have lodged an action to get our trademark invalidated, on the grounds that there will be confusion in the marketplace. We’ve submitted evidence to the Patent’s Office to say we don’t believe there’s a single element of confusion," said Kidd.

Cheese & Co’s Fat Betty nibbles are named after a landmark stone of the North York Moors called Fat Betty.

----

=== In Short ===

== Charge challenged ==

The Freight Transport Association has challenged The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities’ plans to implement a congestion charge in Great Manchester on the grounds that it will have a damaging effect on local businesses. Bakeries operating in the area could see their transport costs rise significantly.

== Rural award ==

The Old Farmhouse Bakery, based in Steventon, Hampshire, is in the running for the Rural Enterprise accolade in the Countryside Alliance Awards. The awards seek to recognise and celebrate rural individuals and businesses who are ambassadors for both local produce and their communities. The bakery produces traditional recipe breads by hand and in small batches.

== Bread in favour ==

A survey carried out by EBLEX, the English Beef and Lamb group, found that freshly baked bread was ranked as Britain’s third-favourite taste. Of the 3,000 people polled, Belgian chocolate came out top, with bacon butties coming in second.

== Local web drive ==

A new website to promote top local and regional food and drink producers has been launched. Localfoodadvisor.com has sections on bakery, meat, fish & seafood, fruit & vegetables, deli, dairy, regional specialities and drink, and features a producer database.

== Delice recognised ==

Delice de France scooped two awards at the National Payroll Giving Excellence Awards, winning The Best Launch of a New Scheme and The Most Successful Payroll Giving Promotion accolades. Supplier of baked and part-baked frozen bakery, Delice, was praised by the judges for creating a good spirit within the company.

Topics