Lichfield District Council has stepped in to deliver a summer food festival after it banned an event organiser from running events in the area.
Lichfield District Council has conducted a review into Cocker Hoop Creative, the event organiser behind Litchfield Food Festival, after the organiser cancelled the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival, just 14 days before it was due to take place.
The news followed a string of media reports and social media posts claiming that talent and artists due to appear at the event had yet to be paid.
Cocker Hoop Creative – led by Jon Arrowsmith, MD – is undertaking a full investigation into the cancellation of this.
The local authority has now decided to organise a food festival from August 23-25 and is offering a free pitch to any trader that had already booked and paid for a pitch with Cocker Hoop Creative.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the council, said: “The Lichfield Summer Food Festival is really important to our residents, businesses and visitors. It brings thousands of people into the city and provides an opportunity to showcase Lichfield as a visitor destination, so I’m really pleased that the council is able to step-in to ensure that this year’s Summer Food Festival goes ahead.”
He added: “We want to do all we can to support those traders who we know have already made significant financial outlays in preparation for the Lichfield Summer Food Festival. So any trader that has booked and paid for a pitch, and can share evidence of doing so, will be offered a free pitch.”
A spokesperson for the Cocker Hoop Creative said that it is disappointed with the decision and would be seeking legal advice.
The spokesperson said: “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.”
They added: “We have successfully organised the festival for 10 years which brings over 175,000 people into the city, boosting the local economy.”
Traders should get in touch at events@lichfielddc.gov.uk
