After a successful first year, Warrington Food and Drink Festival is returning on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May, for a weekend of food, drink and live activity.
Bank Park and the grounds of Warrington Town Hall will be filled with up to 80 traders, including street food, independent producers and local hospitality businesses, giving people a reason to come into town, try something new and support local.
Alongside the food, the festival will run activity across both days, including live chef demonstrations, workshops, a music stage, circus skills, balloon modelling, face painting and a small fairground.
Organised by Warrington BID in partnership with Independent Street, Warrington Borough Council and Culture Warrington, this year’s event builds on last year with more traders and more activity.
Andrea Morley, Warrington BID Project Manager, said: “Last year exceeded expectations. You could feel it across the town and the response from both visitors and businesses was huge. This year, we have taken what worked and built on it, with more to see, more to do and more reasons to stay longer.”
Warrington BID represents over 330 businesses and works to support the town centre through activity that increases footfall and trade. The festival is funded through the BID levy and plays a direct role in driving spend across Warrington.
The first year of the festival contributed to town centre footfall of over 67,000 visitors across the weekend, with many businesses seeing a clear uplift. Visitors are encouraged to make a day of it, explore beyond the festival footprint and spend time across the wider town centre.
Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for climate change, sustainability and the environment at Warrington Borough Council said: “Events like this make a real difference to the town centre. They bring people in, support local businesses and give Warrington a bit of momentum across the weekend. It is great to see it back for a second year.”
The festival was created in response to demand from town centre businesses for activity that brings people in and gives them a reason to stay. It is now part of Warrington’s wider events programme.
Lisa Cowley, owner of Independent Street, said: “We’ve seen how much interest there is in Warrington for independent food and drink, and this festival brings that together in one place. We have expanded the line-up this year, with more traders and a programme that keeps people engaged across the weekend.”
Local businesses, traders, chefs and performers are still being encouraged to get involved, with opportunities for stallholders, workshops and live entertainment across both days.
For more information, or to get involved, email warringtonbid@groundwork.org.uk or visit https://independentstreet.co.uk/trader-registration/. Follow Warrington BID on social media or visit https://wearewarringtonbid.co.uk/ for updates.
