Gloucester Quays draws in record crowds for food festival

Peel L&P has announced record footfall for its Summer Food Festival at Gloucester Quays, the premier urban outlet in the South West.

The event increased footfall over the weekend by 29% when compared with the same time in 2022, taking place in Mariners Square and Orchard Square, Gloucester Quays’ unique public open space adjacent to the historic docks and warehouse buildings. The Cookery Theatre housed live sessions from some of the UK’s best-known chefs and celebrity bakers – including the award-winning Cherish Finden and Levi Roots, alongside several Great British Bake Off finalists – and was hosted by TV presenter and author Chris Bavin across both days.

The Food Festival has been running since 2013, this year featuring over 150 stalls offering local food, produce, and crafts, pop-up bars, and live music. The investment from Peel L&P is part of their commitment to create engaging and exciting experiences at Gloucester Quays, making these accessible for visitors and supporting the destination’s businesses, evidenced by the 16% increase in sales they experienced compared with last year.

Paul Carter, Asset Director at Peel L&P, commented: “Every year we push to make our Summer Food Festival better and more exciting for our visitors, and as a result it’s become an important part of Gloucester’s calendar of events. The turnout this year was exceptional, no doubt drawn in by the amazing location and the great line-up of guest chefs and TV personalities we have been able to secure. Supporting our businesses, and indeed other local independents during this event, is a big part of our approach for Gloucester Quays, and the 2023 edition has undoubtedly been a success for them as well.”

Award-winning pastry chef and Bake Off – The Professionals judge, Cherish Finden, added: “Gloucester Quays is such a beautiful location, and this open area next to the water made for a great place to host some interactive baking demos, doing what I do best! Everyone who came was so enthusiastic and engaged and it made the day a lot of fun.”

This news follows the announcement that Mountain Warehouse and Animal have combined to take an upsized store at the destination, trebling their presence.