Shrewsbury Food Festival proving tasty for producers
A new food festival in Shropshire has proved so popular with the county's producers in just two weeks that it has had to build a larger site for exhibitors, it emerged today.
Shrewsbury Food Festival was launched two weeks ago when 100 people attended a public meeting.
Organisers planned to welcome 70 exhibitors to the Quarry on June 29 and 30 – but the event now needs an extra 30 pitches.
Chief executive Beth Heath said staff were working hard to keep up with demand and provide opportunities for Shrewsbury-based producers.
She said: "The response has been overwhelming.
"We'd initially planned to provide space for 70 exhibitors – but we've already surpassed that number of bookings and have had to increase the site so that it accommodates 100."
Mrs Heath added that the festival was trying to do its best to provide space for small, start-up business, by offering bursary spaces at a fraction of the normal cost.
But spaces for bursary winners – which cost just one third of the normal amount – have almost gone too.
Mrs Heath said: "We created a bursary area for 10 producers because we want to do our bit to help small businesses to grow. But the demand has outstripped supply and we're pretty much full already."
She added local food producers who had not yet applied to the festival should visit www.shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk and send in details soon.
