Something for everyone aim at St Annes Food and Drinks Festival

What was the St Annes Food and Gin Festival when last held four years and was originally due to be back this year under the same title, will now be known as the St Annes Food and Drinks Festival when it takes place over the weekend of April 9 and 10.

The change initially came after the gin distillers involved asked if they would be able to bring along the other drinks which they had diversified into producing over the past couple of years, such as rum and liqueurs, and talks are now ongoing over involving craft beers, while non-alcoholic beverages are likely to be on offer.

"We are expanding from a gin festival to drinks festival this year – and we hope we will offer something for everyone,” said Veli Kirk, chairman of the St Annes Enterprise Partnership, which is organising the event.

"We are still working with local distilleries, but during lockdown many of them have diversified into rums and liqueurs, so we are providing them with the opportunity to showcase those new products.

"Some people also came to us and said they weren’t keen on gin so we thought it best to give it broader appeal."

The drink tasting, in a marquee in St Annes Square, will take place, on the Saturday, the first day of the festival.

Distillers offering their wares will include Lytham Gin/ Sandgrown Spirits, Goosnargh Gin, and Black Powder Gin and Wild Fox Spirits, both from Preston and there promise to be more than 25 different drinks to sample.

Sara Dewhurst of Lytham Gin, said: “We are really pleased to be taking part in the St Annes Drinks Festival, as it now means we can bring Lytham Rum as well as Lytham Gin to the event. It's a great idea to widen what's on offer to include spirits other than gin as well as craft ales, ciders and non-alcoholic drinks. There will be something for everyone to try.”

On the Sunday, chefs from seven local restaurants will be demonstrating their skills and giving out free samples for the audience to enjoy.