Town hall chiefs have agreed to fund a year of Stalybridge food events to the tune of £30k after celebrating a successful 2021.
Tameside council has committed financial support for a new ten month run of the ‘Street Feast’ events which launched in the town in July last year as the ‘brainchild’ of Dukinfield and Stalybridge Councillor Eleanor Wills.
Further investment by the authority comes as Stalybridge has been named this year’s Greater Manchester’s town of culture.
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Bosses say the six food and artisanal markets in 2021 attracted large crowds into Armentieres Square and Stalybridge town centre, and nearby shops and businesses stayed open later in the evening to benefit from increased trade.
Food and drink offerings at the events range from pizza and paella to ice cream, pancakes and Indian and Malaysian dishes as well as beer and wine.
They are being run by Tameside council’s markets service in partnership with artisan market organisers The Market Co.
According to an executive decision notice, the council has now agreed to budget £30,000 for the programme of events in 2022 from the ‘place’ department revenue.
Bosses say it represents a ‘positive return on investment’.
“The Stalybridge Street Feast pilot has delivered on its aim of engaging residents and businesses, increasing footfall in the town centre, supporting local SME traders and increasing the profile of Stalybridge as a desirable location to visit,” the report states.
“Demand throughout the pilot programme has not waned and there is a clear opportunity for the council to continue to deliver this event for the benefit of the local economy in Stalybridge.”
However officers warn that the department needs to explore funding opportunities for financing the costs of events this year and in future years as there is ‘no dedicated budget provision’ to finance the programme within the existing budget.
Coun Wills said: “While I always expected Street Feast to be a success, I have to admit I’ve been completely bowled over by the way its popularity has grown. Month by month people have been coming into Stalybridge from all over the region to enjoy a relaxed evening of delicious food and drink in historic and picturesque surroundings.
“My intention was to establish a family event that would put Stalybridge firmly on Greater Manchester’s food and drink map, so I’m really pleased that’s been achieved. We’ve now got to keep on improving Street Feast so that people carry on coming back.”
The next run of Street Feast events will take place on the second Friday of every month from 5 -9pm starting in March and continuing until the end of 2022.
