MP for the Ribble Valley, The Rt Hon Nigel Evans MP, has thrown his weight behind efforts to see Clitheroe Food Festival put on in 2021, after it was previously cancelled for the second year running due to Covid-19.
Clitheroe Food Festival normally attracts thousands of tourists to the town, who get to experience the best food and drink which the Ribble Valley and Lancashire have to offer. However, after being cancelled in 2020, it was recently cancelled again by Ribble Valley Borough Council, who said they didn’t believe the festival could be held safely in the current environment.
Since it was cancelled however, local groups have come together to offer to take charge of a scaled down festival for this year, which Nigel Evans has declared his support for.
Speaking about the issue, Nigel said:
“While all sectors have been hit hard by the Coronavirus, hospitality businesses have suffered so much in the last year. The Ribble Valley economy relies heavily on the hospitality sector, and holding even a scaled back food festival would be a tremendous jab in the arm for local businesses”.
“While I understand there is still some uncertainty about the end of lockdown, other festivals such as the Royal Lancashire Show are still going ahead, and Government restrictions should have been lifted by the time the festival would be held in August. Local councillors, businesses and volunteer are keen for the festival to go ahead, and they have my full support in trying to ensure that our fantastic food festival isn’t disrupted for a second year in a row”.
“The economic recovery from Covid-19 will take time, and holding the food festival would be the first step on the long road for local businesses to regain their strength. I am hopeful that we can build on this in the future, so that the festival can be extended to a multiple day festival”.