Boost for traders as Morpeth mini Food and Drink Festival announced

Produce will be showcased at 40 stalls in the town centre on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 – from 9am to 3pm each day.

Bake for the Soul, Muckle Brewing, Pie Demand, Geordie Bangers, Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce will be among the traders in attendance.

The annual Morpeth Food and Drink Festival, which is usually held on the first weekend in October, has been postponed for this year as firm planning needs to be carried out months in advance and the current situation with Covid-19 means organisers are unable to do this for 2021.

However, it is due to return even bigger and better in October 2022.

In addition, two new special markets are to be held this summer as voted for by the public.

Taste of Northumberland market on will be on July 17 and a Crafts market will take place on August 21. These markets will run alongside the weekly Wednesday market and monthly Farmers’ Market and Street Food Market.

Morpeth’s markets are managed by Sanderson Arcade and Northumberland County Council, working in partnership with Morpeth Town Council, and Lottie Thompson, centre manager at Sanderson Arcade, said: “We are extremely excited to announce our plans for the mini Food and Drink Festival taking place soon, plus a host of other exciting markets and outdoor events.

“The safety of our customers and our staff is our top priority, so although we can’t hold the annual Food and Drink Festival in its usual format, we are delighted to bring a scaled back version of the event for people to enjoy safely.”

Covid-19 safety measures will be in place throughout all the markets and events taking place in Morpeth and at Sanderson Arcade – including contactless payments, hand sanitising stations and a one-way system to move around the markets, plus all visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings whilst shopping at the markets.

If you are a trader interested in joining one of Morpeth’s markets email [email protected]