Bolton Food and Drink Festival has been declared a major success, as organisers look forward to celebrating the event's 20 anniversary next year! Visitors were said to have experienced Bolton at its very best with a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere across the three days — with the headline sponsor stating events like this were to key to contributing to the town's 'vibrant future'. Opening was postponed after Storm Lilian battered the town centre in the early hours of Friday morning, leaving stalls and gazebos damaged. Despite the setback, council staff, supporters, sponsors and the community worked into the early hours to make sure the site was ready for Saturday morning.
Festival favourite Ainsley Harriott praised the spirit and resilience of Bolton as he toured the stalls and met with some of the local traders impacted by Friday’s closure. Ainsley said: “One of the reasons I come to Bolton again, and again and again is because of the people. “I often get asked what I would cook for my ideal dinner party and the truth is that it doesn’t really matter as long as you have great company, and that’s what you always get here in Bolton.
“Every time I come back here it’s the warmth and the joy. People just want to give something back, and that’s what you want as a cook.” Now in its 19th year, the award-winning Bolton Food and Drink Festival is famous for its celebrity chef demos, music stages, and 200 market stalls selling the best local produce.
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