Food festival visitors back street closure next year

Plans to increase spending on Newtown Food Festival next year will be considered by town councillors on Monday, following feedback showing that eight in ten surveyed visitors supported closing High Street for the event again.

Newtown Town Council's Economy and Environment Committee will examine a proposed £1,500 increase in the festival's budget for 2027/28, taking it from £35,000 to £36,500.

The proposed increase comes after councillors discussed feedback from this year's festival at their previous meeting on 5 October, including the impact of closing High Street and the involvement of local food and drink producers.

At that meeting, councillors were told that 80% of surveyed visitors wanted High Street to be closed again for next year's event.

However, members asked officers to investigate why the remaining 20% did not support another closure.

The committee also heard that 44% of exhibitors at this year's festival were based in Montgomeryshire.

Although local traders are offered a discount to participate, councillors questioned whether more could be done to encourage food and drink businesses from Newtown and the surrounding area to take part.

Officers were asked to investigate both issues and report back with further information.

The October meeting also considered the challenges of recruiting volunteers to support the festival, with members discussing ways of maintaining contact with those who help throughout the year.

The possibility of councillors volunteering at future events was also raised.

The festival is one of the main annual events supported by Newtown Town Council and represents a significant part of its Economy and Environment budget.

The proposed increase for 2027/28 forms part of a wider review of spending priorities, which will be discussed when the committee meets remotely on Monday, 2 November.

Other proposed changes include increasing the Kicking Off Christmas budget from £11,500 to £13,500 and the Celebration of Newtown budget from £6,500 to £7,500.

The overall draft Economy and Environment budget for 2027/28 stands at £77,500, compared with an agreed budget of £80,800 for the current financial year, excluding earmarked reserves.

Councillors will be asked to identify any changes they want made to the draft workplan and budget before the council's spending plans are finalised.