The Tout’s forecourt in Cleeve has been chosen as one of 53 locations to be included in a major Bristol tourist attraction this summer – a trail of giant sculptures from Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit film animation.
The family business hopes to raise £10,000 for the Gromit Unleashed 3 charity event, which launches in June, with models of characters from the latest Vengeance Most Fowl movie featuring Wallace, Gromit, Feathers McGraw, and new personality Norbot the Smart Gnome.
Tout’s says its activitiy around the trail – which is expected to attract millions of visitors and running from June 30 to August 31 – will replace its annual Food Fest community fair. It will include themed drinks and food, and a ‘Kids eat for a £1’ promotion in its Maple restaurant.
For every purchase of a local product a donation, which usually goes to its Nisa run MADL charity pot, will be switched to The Grand Appeal for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the initiative the trail is raising money for.
Also profits from carrier bag sales, usually given to its MADL fund, will be redirected to The Grand Appeal during the trail period.
And the business will be running its so-called Wow deals, and a sampling schedule for local products, as well as decorating the store in the theme of its sculpture, as well as raffling seven Gromit figurines, and holding a silent auction for three limited edition collectable versions.
The trail presents Tout’s with a great opportunity to further engage with the community, says brand director Zena Tout. The cause also means a great deal to the family with Zena and Jon’s eldest daughter Aurora having spent the first days of her life in the hospital in intensive care.
