THE future of the Lichfield Food Festival has been thrown into doubt after council chiefs rejected an application by the organiser to host the event.
Cocker Hoop Creative Limited had been asked by Lichfield District Council to pause trader bookings while it carried out a review following the company’s cancellation of a similar festival in Yorkshire.
But the local authority has now confirmed it will stop the business from hosting the festival – and future events on land it owns in future.
A spokesperson said:
“Lichfield District Council has today confirmed that it has rejected Cocker Hoop Creative Limited’s application to hold the Summer Lichfield Food Festival in August 2025.
“The council was deeply concerned by last week’s news that Cocker Hoop Creative Limited had cancelled the Yorkshire Dales Food Festival less than 14 days before the event.
“The council took immediate action and on Monday launched an urgent internal review to decide whether proposed events by Cocker Hoop Creative Limited would be allowed to continue.
“Following today’s decision concerning the Summer Lichfield Food Festival, any further applications to Lichfield District Council by Cocker Hoop Creative Limited or associated companies to hold events on district council land or public spaces in the district, will also be rejected.”
The local authority says it is now looking at alternative ways an event could still take place.
“The council understands how important the Lichfield Food Festival is to residents, businesses, traders and visitors.
“As such, the council is urgently considering alternative options to ensure that a food festival does go ahead in August.
“The council will provide further updates on how it proposes to move forward as soon as possible.”
