Street Eat festival to return for Christmas

More than 2,500 people flocked to the Street Eat festival when it returned with a bang earlier this year - and fans of tasty treats and merriment are in for a very festive feast when the event returns to Rochdale town centre for Christmas.

Food lovers looking to eat, drink and enjoy free seasonal entertainment should head to The Butts on Saturday 17 December. A special edition of the popular event is being held at Christmas for the first time.

Organised by Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID), Street Eat will bring together the town’s food and drink establishments, with delicious food and mulled wine, live entertainment, with appearances from the man himself - Father Christmas.

Tasty food from local restaurant chefs will be served with dozens of mouth-watering dishes all at £5 or less including, Italian, Indian, English, American, Mexican and more.

There will be activities and rides for children, a bar for adults and live musical entertainment with a seasonal twist.

BID manager Paul Ambrose, who organises the event with support from Rochdale Borough Council, said Street Eat will showcase the town’s diverse festive food and drink offer: “To see Street Eat return earlier this year was fantastic and it was so well received with thousands of visitors, so it’s fantastic that it’s back to bring some Christmas cheer to all of us.  Time to come together again, celebrate and have fun. The town centre offers wonderful hospitality and warmth at this time of year so Street Eat will be a welcome addition with a wonderful festive atmosphere and of course delicious food and drink. Its family-friendly and great value. Due to the work under way around the town hall we’re staying on The Butts, a good location and very handy for public transport.”

More details will be released next month, but traders will include Bombay Brew, Vicolo Del Vino, The Medicine Tap, The Flying Horse, The Baum, The Treehouse Bar, Bean, Bank Top Farm and Keep It Sweet.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for events added: "Street Eat will bring an extra festive dimension to our town centre and is always a great socialising opportunity. Events like this bring visitors into town from across the area and it’s so important we support our local businesses.”

Admission is free and the event will run from 11am to 7pm.  For more on the line-up visit rochdalebid.co.uk and rochdale.gov.uk/events or search #StreetEatRoch on social media.