The Bolton Food and Drink Festival, a highly anticipated event expected to draw in around 500,000 attendees over the Bank Holiday weekend, has been postponed due to the aftermath of Storm Lilian. Originally scheduled to kick off at 11am on August 23, the festival has been pushed back to at least 2pm as a result of the severe weather conditions that have swept through the city-borough.
The festival was set to feature over 200 food traders, live entertainment, and appearances from renowned celebrity chefs such as Ainsley Harriott and James Martin. However, the impact of the storm, which brought heavy winds reaching up to 60mph, has wreaked havoc on the festival site. Photos captured in Bolton Town Centre this morning depicted a scene of chaos, with numerous stalls toppled over by the powerful gusts.
In addition to disrupting the festival, Storm Lilian has also taken a toll on Greater Manchester’s transport network. Metrolink’s lines are currently suspended, and several train services have been affected, prompting Northern to advise commuters to avoid using their services whenever possible. The adverse weather conditions have led Bolton Council to take precautionary measures, with the Town Hall being closed until further notice.
With a number of festival events set to take place at the Town Hall and the adjacent Albert Halls venue, the closure has undoubtedly thrown a wrench into the festival’s plans. Traders who were originally slated to set up shop outside the Town Hall and in Victoria Square will now have to wait for the storm to pass before they can resume their operations. Festival stages located at Le Mans Crescent and Deansgate are also affected by the delay.
In response to the unfolding situation, Bolton Council issued a statement on social media, urging its staff to work from home if possible. The council emphasized the importance of safety in light of the high winds brought on by Storm Lilian, which continue to pose a threat to those in the town center. Organizers for the Bolton Food and Drink Festival took to Facebook to announce the postponement of the event’s opening until 2pm on Friday, attributing the delay to a weather warning issued by the Met Office.
The safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the festival, from vendors to attendees, remain the top priority for the organizers. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the storm, the festival’s future hangs in the balance, pending further updates and assessments of the situation. Manchester Evening News has reached out to the Bolton Food and Drink Festival for additional information and insights on how the event will proceed in the face of adversity.