NEW VENUE ANNOUNCED FOR FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

ORGANISERS of the Stone Food and Drink Festival have confirmed its return in 2023 – at a different venue.

The festival will again run in the summer

– on July 15 and 16 – after moving from its traditional autumn date this year.

But it will move venue to Kibblestone Scout Camp, about a mile-and-a-half outside the town centre, due to planned work at Westbridge Park, its usual home. There will be a packed programme of events and a shuttle bus service to make sure visitors bring revenue into the town centre for the benefit of businesses. Richard Stevens, chairman of the notfor-profit event, said: “Having investigated various options, Kibblestone provided an ideal opportunity – it has the space and infrastructure the event needs, ample on-site parking and is close enough for us to run shuttle buses to and from the town centre.

“We are once again working closely with Stone Traders’ Group to get local businesses involved and will be running a programme of town centre events.

“We are confident that we will put on a great foodie event for Stone in 2023, and intend to return to Westbridge Park as soon as we are able – hopefully for the 2024 festival!”

Full details and tickets are set to be released in early 2023.