City centre festival cut short by weather

The second day of a city centre festival has been called off because of bad weather.

The Big Feast in Hanley is a free two-day event which began on Friday, but organisers Appetite said Saturday's Big Feast programme would not go ahead, with the exception of Tender Exchange at the Potteries Centre.

It said an "enormous amount of work, care and creativity" had gone into the planning of the event, and it was "gutted" to cut it short.

The organisers added: "The safety and wellbeing of our artists, audiences, volunteers and team has to come first. With the conditions we're facing today, we're sadly unable to deliver the festival programme safely."

The event had promised to bring local music, artisan market stalls, and "unexpected moments around every corner", along with performances including circus skills, outdoor theatre, singing and dancing.

The Tender Exchange is described as a "living folk experience inviting you to pause and share what's in your heart."

The Big Feast is organised by Appetite, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Smithfield, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Appetite director, Emily Labhart said Friday had been "a really special day for The Big Feast, with thousands of people coming together in Stoke-on-Trent city centre to experience performances, take part and enjoy the city in a completely different way".

She said there had been "a warm, joyful atmosphere throughout the day, and it was fantastic to see people of all ages stopping, watching and getting involved".

While she said the organisers were disappointed that the weather had stopped Saturday going ahead as planned, they were "hugely grateful to everyone who came out and made Friday so memorable".

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