Plans for Whitchurch Food Festival revealed
Plans have been unveiled for a north Shropshire town's food and drink festival which is being held again following the success of last year's inaugural event.
Whitchurch Food and Drink Festival will take place from May 30 to 31 in the town's civic centre and market hall.
As well as food and drink, cookware, books and cookery demonstrations will be on offer.
Last year's event attracted more than 70 traders and 4,000 visitors who came as far away as Glasgow, London, Norwich and Liverpool.
Zoe Dean, assistant town clerk and town centre manager, said: "We are looking to build on last year's event, promoting good food and drink in the local area as well as attract tourists to Whitchurch.
"It's free entry which is an important part of the festival for us. We are expanding this year and are seeking expressions of interest of craft traders.
"We want to run a craft fair in the Bull Ring in parallel to the food and drink festival over the weekend.
"Last year we were limited to food and drink traders but this year we are appealing to traders of all types.
"A lot of food and drink festivals can be expensive but we think we are one of the cheapest if not the cheapest."
Last year's event was held in the new-look civic centre which had been refurbished as part of an £863,000 project.
The project included improving the façade, landscaping at the front of the building, creating a more welcoming foyer, and upgrading the heating, water and electrical systems.
Producer awards took place on the Saturday morning, allowing traders the opportunity to enter their goods to be judged by a panel of professional chefs and food experts, including Brian Mellor, of the Harthill Cookery School.
Certificates then went on show on the winning traders' stands for the entire festival.
Booking forms for this year's event are now available and people can save £25 on stall fees if they return their booking forms, along with full payment, before February 27.
