Scriven welcomes plans for first "Sheffield Food Festival" (Paul Scriven)

Scriven welcomes plans for first "Sheffield Food Festival"

April 2, 2010 9:10 PM

Paul Scriven and Ben Curran with Walkley resident Sheffield city centre will be transformed into a giant showground featuring mini-restaurants, bars, live entertainment and a market for the first Sheffield Food Festival in June. The festival is a result of the work of Liberal Democrats on Sheffield City Council initiated the festival as part of a plan to boost trade in the city centre.

The 'Festival Feast' will take over the Peace Gardens, Winter Garden and Tudor Square, attracting up to 50,000 people over the five-day celebration. Other events are being planned in locations and communities across the city.

Paul Scriven, City Council Leader and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Central, said:

"This event should help your businesses, help Sheffield and really put the city on the map. The aim is for this to be an annual festival and not a one-off and we'll learn as we go along."

"We're being driven by ideas. This is just another great example of how the Liberal Democrats are coming up with new ways to boost the city centre and give local people the opportunity to enjoy themselves!"

The Peace Gardens will become a picnic site, with mini-restaurants serving festival versions of their signature menus and an al fresco dining area, with live entertainment, chef demonstrations, a local producers' market and Sheffield Summer Beers Bar.

Tudor Square - currently being redeveloped - will host a 'grow your own' zone with children's workshops, vegetable competitions, allotment showcases and a learning zone.

Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6, are being designated Community Weekend, with local groups taking over part of the Feast hub and activities being planned in communities citywide. Ideas include street parties, craft markets, cake stalls and family fun days.

Other potential events during the week include a wine and whisky festival.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the festival should contact Alison Gardner at Edge Street Events: (0161) 839 3461 or alison@foodanddrinkfestival.com.