The Wells Food Festival, now in its twelfth year, continues to draw crowds, with approximately 16,000 visitors expected to explore around 200 stalls this October.

Festival Director John Abbott and his colleague Lorna Gray highlighted the event's growing appeal during a recent presentation to local councillors.

Scheduled for October 13, 2024, the festival, which is held on the second Sunday of October each year, has become a significant draw for both locals and tourists, arriving by coach and car.

The event, which costs £40,000 to organise, features local entertainment, food workshops, tastings, and showcases locally made food, contributing substantially to the tourist trade in Wells.

However, the festival faces challenges such as advertising, parking, WIFI access, and securing sufficient sponsorship.

During the presentation, the potential closure of High Street (Sadler Street) for the festival was discussed, raising concerns about traffic management in the area.

Councillors raised concerns about potential traffic disruptions and suggested implementing additional signage and parking arrangements to manage the influx of visitors better.

The discussion also covered the need for effective crowd control measures around the moat, where previous festivals have seen high footfall.

Suggestions included implementing a one-way system and increasing the number of marshals for better safety and navigation.

John Abbott called for more involvement from the councillors to help shape the vision for future festivals, ensuring the event not only celebrates local culinary delights but also addresses logistical challenges for a smoother experience.