Coming home for a drop of fun

Talks are ongoing to stage the event at its old home of Lowther Pavilion over three days next September.

The festival moved to Blackpool this year but talks involving organisers from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Lytham landlords, Lowther Pavilion and Fylde Council have taken place to negotiate its return in 2014.

The proposal has been approved by committee members of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre CAMRA but still needs final approval by the wider branch membership and by CAMRA nationally.

If approved, the festival would be based at Lowther but with ‘satellite events and tastings’ to be held in pubs throughout Lytham. Coun David Eaves, Fylde Council leader, said: “I look forward to seeing visitors coming from across the North West to enjoy visiting Lytham. They will spend money in local shops, restaurants and hotels and that supports local jobs which benefits us all.”

If the proposal is approved, organisers and landlords will soon start compiling a list of events which, it is hoped, will include an ale trail to involve pubs in the town. Paul Smith, CAMRA’s local chairman, said: “I look forward to the festival returning to Lytham as we never wanted to leave in the first place, not only because of Lowther but it also has a lot of good pubs which we hope to involve in the festival.

“I hope we can give the final go-ahead within six weeks. We are currently looking for sponsors to hopefully help make this event a regular spot in the Lytham calendar. I would like to thank David Haythornthwaite, Fylde Council and Mark Alexander at the Lowther for their help in getting us to where we are now.”

Steve Norris, landlord at Lytham’s Taps pub, added: “I’m over the moon to hear that talks are progressing well. I am sure it will bring hundreds, if not thousands of people to the town.”

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