Council to run city's food and drink festivals

The Lichfield Food and Drink Festivals will again be run by the district council after the previous organiser was blocked from delivering the last event.

The authority confirmed it would return as a "free, community-focused celebration" of local food and drink, taking place from 16 to 17 May and from 29 to 31 August.

It comes after the council blocked the previous organiser Cocker Hoop Creative Limited, which had enjoyed a 10-year run, from staging the 2025 event in August, with the authority stepping in to deliver it instead.

Cocker Hoop Creative Limited previously said it was "incredibly disappointed and frustrated" with the council's decision.

Confirming the 2026 events, the district council said the festivals continued to play an important role in supporting the city centre.

As well as showcasing local food and drink traders, the authority said it would offer small grants to community groups to deliver performances, workshops and demonstrations.

Councillor Phil Whitehouse said: "These events are a great celebration of Lichfield, supporting our local food and drink businesses and bringing people into the city."

In July, the council rejected Cocker Hoop Creative Limited's application to hold August's festival and said it would refuse any further applications from the company.

The authority said at the time that it had been "deeply concerned" about the firm cancelling the Yorkshire Dales Food Festival less than 14 days before it was due to take place.

A spokesperson for Cocker Hoop Creative Limited said in response: "We're incredibly disappointed and frustrated with Lichfield Council's decision to reject our licence for the Lichfield Food Festival without any consultation with us.

"We have successfully organised the festival for 10 years which brings over 175,000 people into the city, boosting the local economy."

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