A food festival which attracted 27,000 visitors to a County Durham market town in April looks set to be even better when it returns in 2019.
Excitement is already building for Bishop Auckland Food Festival after it was confirmed the popular event would be back on Saturday,13 April and Sunday, 14 April.
Food lovers will certainly not want to miss out, with Durham County Council’s festival and events team pulling together all of the essential ingredients for an unforgettable day out, plus many more tasty treats too.
Once again, street traders and producers from across the North-East and beyond will be selling their delicious delicacies. There will also be inspiring demonstrations in the cookery theatre, live music and a host of children’s activities
Last year, the free festival attracted 27,000 people to Bishop Auckland, resulting in record sales for traders and boosting the profits of local businesses.
Feedback was extremely positive, with 95 per cent of visitors surveyed rating the festival as good or very good. Ninety-six per cent of visitors and 97 per cent of local businesses agreed the event was good for Bishop Auckland’s image, while 84 per cent of stall holders felt Bishop Auckland Food Festival was better than other festivals.
Visitors praised the great atmosphere and variety of food on offer, with one woman stating: “This was my fourth time at the food festival and it outdoes itself every year. Always something new as well as old favourites.
“Really showcases Bishop Auckland’s best features and it’s clear to see improvements made in the town year-on-year.”
The festival’s success means it is now a key event on the foodie calendar and shines a well-deserved spotlight on the region’s gastronomic heroes.
Cllr Carl Marshall, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Bishop Auckland Food Festival is a fantastic day out and a chance to sample some of the best food and drink the region has to offer. However, it is so much more than that.
“The festival brings vital income into Bishop Auckland and has helped develop County Durham’s reputation as a culinary destination.”
To stay up to date with the latest festival news, visit www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk or follow @bishfoodfest on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
