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Wolverhampton to host city centre food festival

Wolverhampton is to host its first city centre food festival which bosses hope will attract 10,000 visitors, it has been revealed.

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Festival stalls will be next to the University of Wolverhampton and the Civic Centre. Photo: Google

It will feature around 40 food and drink stalls and cooking displays from some of the country's best street food traders over two days.

A main stage will host live bands and there will be a open-air cinema and fairground games.

The event will be called the City of Wolverhampton Festival of Food and Drink and take place on Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9.

The main entrance to the festival will be in Wulfruna Street with stalls and activities spread over the Civic Centre ceremonial car park, St Peter’s car park and the pedestrian area outside the University of Wolverhampton’s Ambika Paul Building.

Wolverhampton council's Strategic Director for Place, Tim Johnson, said: “Food and drink festivals are hugely popular these days and we are proud to be hosting one in the city this summer.

“It will be the flagship event for our visitor programme in July and will provide the ideal platform to showcase the City of Wolverhampton on a national scale.

“There will be a variety of mouthwatering food and drink on offer from producers near and far, and entertainment for all the family.”

The festival is being organised by William Power of Street Banquets and is being supported by the council and Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID).

It is intended as the showpiece event for the council's ten-day visitor programme in July.

On the Saturday it will run between 1pm and 8pm and on the Sunday between 12pm and 7pm.

On day one the main stage will host live bands and comedians and there will be a Champagne and Prosecco bar with music, a family area with an open-air cinema and traditional fairground games.

On the Sunday there will be an emphasis on families including acoustic performances and choirs on the main stage, as well as competitions and games for children.

Wolverhampton BID Director, Cherry Shine, added: “I am delighted this fabulous food event is coming to the City of Wolverhampton for the first time.

“We are hoping that this will be a regular date in the events calendar going forward.”

Organiser Mr Power, said: “This is something we’ve been working on behind the scenes for almost three years.

“We can’t put into words how pleased we are that this is now a reality and are excited to deliver Wolverhampton’s inaugural food and drink festival.

“Working alongside City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton BID, we aim to bring over 10,000 people into the city centre and make Wolverhampton one of the UK’s finest street food and drink destinations.

“This will be a great way to eat, drink and hang out for the entire family.”

The council said the final festival programme is being developed and further details will be announced in the coming weeks.