Taste Cumbria made a triumphant return to Cockermouth at the weekend with many food and drink producers selling out faster than ever before.
Many of the traders said they were using stock they’d reserved for day two of the festival to keep up with demand from thousands of visitors. That meant some busy late-night baking and making, as well as trips back to their storerooms, to restock for Sunday’s trade.
Around 90 producers set up stall on Main Street, Market Place and at the newly-reopened Jennings Brewery, with a fairground also taking place on Memorial Gardens car park, for a packed weekend of entertainment. There were two music stages, street theatre, a caricaturist and loads of free children’s activities, as well as a comic cookery show and the ever-popular comedy night too.
Lots of the town’s businesses also had a busy weekend. The Crooked River Brewing Co opened its new Beer Shop on Market Place in time for Taste Cumbria - marking the date they launched their very first beers at the festival three years ago. One shop reported taking its usual Saturday takings by 1.30pm, while another foodie business had to hold stock back to cater for its regular Monday customers.
The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and the sponsors and supporters for this event were Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Milburns Solicitors and Rock With.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“What a fantastic weekend. The atmosphere, the number of people on the streets, the feedback to the event team, and the reports of record sales - it is all just brilliant.
“The fact that this festival marked 15 years since Taste Cumbria was created to Cockermouth bounce back from devastating floods made this year’s success extra special. Thank you to everyone who makes this happen - from the council staff and volunteers, and the sponsors and supporters, to our great producers and suppliers, and particularly the people of Cockermouth for welcoming us back year on year.”
Joe Murray is Co-Chair of Cockermouth and District Chamber of Trade and manages The Children’s Society shop. He said:
“Taste Cumbria showcases not only the county’s producers but also Cockermouth’s independent businesses. It gets the town talked about and inspires people to return all year round. Our shop’s sales beat all previous Taste Cumbria weekends too so it really was a fantastic weekend.”
The next event is Taste Carlisle on 1 and 2 November and then Taste Christmas is back in Cockermouth, on 6 and 7 December.
To find out more, visit www.tastecumbria.co.uk
Photo Credit: Tom Kay