A NUMBER of Urmston’s independent food and drink traders have launched a mini-fringe festival packed with exciting events.

Designed to highlight all that is great about Urmston’s thriving food and drink scene, the town’s award winning cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs and retailers have come together for the 12 day event and stage a series of special events, culinary walking tours and a one-off pop-up food and drink market.

Participating businesses have been keen to showcase why those who enjoy their food and drink should visit Urmston with dedicated events that have been included within the overall festival programme.

On Monday September 28, Kelder, Urmston’s neighbourhood wine shop and wine bar, is holding a wine fair, giving wine lovers the chance to taste over 30 different wines from a handful of specially selected suppliers over the course of special socially distanced and fully Covid-compliant ticketed sessions priced at £15 each.

Award-winning pub, The Barking Dog, has partnered with Manchester Brewing Company to bring its modern craft ales to Urmston with a cask ale tap takeover that will run for the duration of the festival – or until the beer runs out! No tickets needed, but the pub will be observing strict Trafford coronavirus rules and social distancing guidelines on numbers inside the venue. If you fancy a bite with your pint, the pub has also extended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and is offering 50 per cent off food on Tuesdays.

And for the duration of the festival, Harry’s Temperance Bar on Victoria Parade in Urmston is hosting a colourful Caribbean food pop-up with family-run takeaway JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen which is offering authentic Jamaican cuisine including curried mutton and curried goat, jerk chicken and patties with various fillings plus vegetarian options. Again, no tickets are needed as food is to takeaway. Ever popular, Harry’s remains open in the day for ice creams, cakes and afternoon tea (booking is required).

Excitement is also mounting for the Urmston Food and Drink Pop Up Market at the Market 41 site on Railway Road from 10am until 6pm on September 26.

Director of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival, Alexa Stratton-Powell, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the fabulous businesses in Urmston. There’s lots to get excited about in the neighbourhood, and the fringe festival is a great way to showcase and celebrate that. We can’t wait to get out there and sample the wonderful programme they have put together!”

Further information on all events can be found on the Love Urmston www.loveurmston.co.uk website