Farnham’s highly popular annual Food and Drink Festival has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Festival, which was first held in 2008, has become a major attraction in Farnham Town Council’s calendar of events and normally attracts around 15,000 food lovers to the town centre.

Councillor Alan Earwaker, Lead Member for Tourism and Events says: “It is very disappointing that we have had to cancel the Food and Drink Festival but having explored many options for making the event COVID secure, including holding a smaller event on Gostrey Meadow, we have concluded that postponing the festival until next year is the best option.

“Over the years our Food and Drink Festival has earned a reputation for being a quality event which people will travel from some distance to attend. After much discussion, we have concluded that running anything other than the Festival people have grown to love would be something of a let-down for both visitors and stallholders.

“On a positive note, the Food and Drink Festival will be back, and we will make sure it is an event well worth waiting for!”

Farnham Town Council is currently examining the government’s guidelines to see if other planned events can be made COVID secure. So far, the Council has been able to apply the stringent safety requirements to Music in the Meadow and the monthly Farmers’ Market.

An Art and Design Craft Market is being planned for Sunday 25 October in West Street. The number of stallholders is limited to 38 and safety measures will be in place to keep people safe.