Connoisseurs from across South Wales will get another chance to sample the delights of Neath’s Food & Drink Festival when it returns later this year (October 9th).
Following on from the success of last year’s event, traders are being asked to put in their applications early so that they can secure their pitch for what promises to be another spectacular event.
The festival which attracted over 30 traders last year offered a range of stalls that lined the streets of Neath. They included a number of traders from the Victorian Indoor Market selling fruit, vegetables, Welsh cakes, laver bread and cockles, sausages, bacon, cheeses and cooked meats, faggots and peas. There was also a range of independent traders from Neath and other areas.
This year’s festival which is planned for Saturday 9th October will be the perfect platform for small, medium and large businesses to once again showcase their products to the public.
Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said, “All the traders who took part last year saw the economic benefits of the food festival. Feedback confirmed that people were surprised at how much Neath has to offer and how pleasant it was to shop in a traditional market town.
“I am really pleased that this year’s festival is going ahead as it raises the profile of the good home grown and natural produce on offer across Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas.”
The Festival is only possible because of financial support from the Assembly’s “True Taste of Wales” programme and Neath Port Talbot Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration budgets. Other sponsors are currently Neath Town Council and Neath Communities First, but more sponsorship is being sought to make sure that Neath’s second Food Festival is even better than the first.
As a result of this support, traders will only have to pay £60 for their food stall for the day. This will include an open fronted trade stand, a trestle table and chairs, a street trading licence and an electrical connection.
Traders from across South Wales are being encouraged to take part to demonstrate the abundance of mouth watering local food and drink that is available within Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas.
If anyone is interested in applying for a pitch they can either contact Terry Harvey, Neath Town Centre Manager or Ian Hindle of La CrÉme Patisserie. You can contact them direct for an application form on 01639 640673 (Terry Harvey) or e-mail [email protected] or 01639 638574 (Ian Hindle) or e-mail [email protected].
Or you can download a copy on Neath Port Talbot Council’s website www.npt.gov.uk/neathfoodfestival or the Festival website www.neathfoodfestival.co.uk where you can also see feedback and photographs from last year’s event.
The October Food Festival will be an exciting addition to the annual programme of successful events held in the town centre every year, which include the Town Festival in May and the Historic September Fair.
