Festival hopes for more visitors amid cost rises

Festival hopes for more visitors amid cost rises

Ludlow Food Festival will take place from 11 to 13 September

Organisers have said a food festival cannot carry on in its current format if visitor numbers do not improve.

Ludlow Food Festival will be staged at Ludlow Castle from 11 to 13 September and is in its 32nd year, with more than 100 food and drink exhibitors, along with workshops, musicians and entertainers.

However, the Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Board of Directors said rising costs, economic pressures and technology changes had made putting on the event "never been more difficult".

"Whilst this year's September festival could be the best yet... rising costs mean that this could be the last one in the current format unless we see more people through the castle gates," it said.

A food theatre, cookery school and food workshops are among the attractions

The board of directors is a not-for-profit organisation and, although some staff are employed, most of the workforce are volunteers.

Its statement added that the festival "weathered the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and re-emerged after Covid, but now "stands at a cross roads".

During the pandemic, the festival moved online and said it needed to raise £40,000 by December 2020 or it would be forced to close.

In 2024, the event was rebranded the Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival.

"These festivals are about much more than a weekend event," the organisers said.

"They support local producers, attract visitors to the town, generate significant economic benefits for businesses across the region, and help maintain Ludlow's reputation as one of Britain's great food destinations

"If Ludlow Food Festival means something to you, this year is the year to support it."

Several new features have been introduced in the hope of drawing more visitors.

These includes a food theatre, cookery school, food workshops for children, and a soundtrack stage.