Eat, drink and be merry!
That’s the message from Nantwich Food and Drink Festival organisers as the town prepares to host thousands of ‘foodies’ next month.
More than 30,000 visitors are expected in the town over the weekend September 14-16 for an event billed as “the biggest and tastiest food festival in the country” – offering a vast array of regionally-produced gourmet foods, beer and wine tastings.
With a massive footfall, the gastronomic gathering will set tills ringing across town, helping to give a big boost to trading figures at a time of year when things normally slow down for visitor numbers.
Festival chairman Deborah Robb said: “Surveys from 2011 show the festival helped to generate a huge income for the town.
“Some £2m was spent over the weekend proving a very welcome injection to the local economy.
“At a time when most towns are suffering adverse retail trading conditions and the general consumer mood remains dampened, the festive helps promote a feel-good factor.
“It’s all about organisers, volunteers and traders pulling together to create a real buzz. Everyone is looking forward to another huge crowd-puller.”
The town centre will be packed with foodie activities including tastings in shops and attractions such as a pasta-eating challenge, sausage-making workshops and cocktail-making classes.
Venues include the Mornflake Food Hall (Civic Hall), Gourmet Food Court (Bowling Green car park), Food Theatre (town square), White Horse pub car-park, Cocoa Yard and Methodist Church Hall.
Cheshire East Council is the main sponsor of the festival with major support also coming from breakfast foods producer Mornflake in Crewe.
Deborah added: “The vast majority of visitors came from Cheshire and neighbouring counties in 2011, but we also welcomed people from Scandanavia, Portugal, USA and Caribbean.
“As organisers, we are happy to say our hard work paid off with 97% of the people surveyed saying they loved the event and would return in 2012.”
Recent Comments