Sunderland’s Food and Drink Festival attracted record numbers of visitors this year.
The three-day festival, which took place June 6-8, saw a packed programme of markets, live entertainment, streetfood and drinks across Keel Square, High Street West and Market Square – with some 50,000 visitors attending across the weekend.
Along with the return of the global food markets, a number of new elements were added to the Sunderland City Centre BID event this time round, including an Afro Beats pop-up and the Eco Edit – a green living initiative.
The success of the festival comes on the back of recently released data that shows that food and drink is a key driver for people coming to Sunderland. The festival proved a huge boost to local businesses, who reported an increase in takings and visitor numbers.
Samantha Johnson, owner of Lucky Cat Boba at High Street West, said the Food and Drink Festival has brought great benefits. “We saw a lot more footfall than we normally would,” said Samantha. “It was about a 20% increase in everything across the weekend, so it was a very positive experience for us.”
The Botanist in Keel Square also benefited from the festival, reporting visitors packing out the bar’s terrace. “The live music was a smash hit and food from all the vendors really brought a sense of unity to Keel Square,” said Nathan Ramsay, assistant general manager at The Botanist.
Roberta Redecke, marketing and events manager at Sunderland BID, said the Food and Drink Festival was going from strength to strength. “The numbers of attendees are increasing year on year,” she said. “This time round has been no exception, with a fantastic turnout despite the changeable weather. The traders were delighted with the response and the festival has also greatly benefited local businesses.”
