Threat to Melton's ChocFest event due to work starting on Stockyard scheme
This year’s annual ChocFest event in Melton Mowbray has been jeopardised by work starting on the major redevelopment of the Stockyard.
Organisers of the festival, which is scheduled for the weekend of November 14 and 15, say they have been notified that the halls on the site will be closed for six months from next week.
The event traditionally draws thousands of people looking to indulge their love for chocolate and to pick up early Christmas presents.
But Melton Borough Council, liaising with livestock market contractors Gilstream, announced last week that work would start early in October to create a major food production hub and events venue at the Stockyard.
The work will be done in phases to minimise disruption with the initial focus on the trader halls, which houses dozens of stalls for foodie events during the year, including the East Midlands Food Festival this coming weekend which will go ahead as planned.
ChocFest organiser, Matthew O’Callaghan, is unhappy at the ‘very short notice’ given about the work starting.
He told the Melton Times: “We had just short of 100 stands at ChocFest last year.
“The proposals would remove 51 of those stands.
“I am at a loss of where to find an alternative at such short notice.
“The council surely must have known of the timelines for these changes and given more notice.”
He is worried that other food events could be impacted next year depending on the progress of the work.
"I am also concerned about potential over runs of the project given that the even larger Artisan Cheese Fair is towards the end of May,” added Mr O’Callaghan.
"Can the council guarantee this won’t be affected?
“This really is bad planning and notification by the council.”
In response, council leader, Councillor Ronan Browne, said: “The construction programme was carefully planned around existing activity at the Stockyard and specifically adjusted to enable the East Midlands Food Festival on October 3 and 4 to take place before works commence.
“The wider Stockyard redevelopment programme and the intention to move into the construction phase have been communicated extensively over a number of years through trader engagement, stakeholder meetings, the Food and Drink Network, Business Forum, member briefings and the wider communications programme.
“While the confirmed mobilisation date has only recently been finalised, it would not be accurate to suggest that the redevelopment itself, or the intention to begin construction, has been communicated at short notice.
"Considerable engagement has taken place throughout the life of the project.
"In relation to ChocFest, our understanding is that the event had not been confirmed within the Stockyard events programme in the same way as the East Midlands Food Festival.
"While every effort has been made to minimise disruption and accommodate existing activity where possible, it was not possible to continue delaying the start of construction indefinitely without impacting delivery of the wider redevelopment project.”
Meanwhile, tickets are selling well for this weekend’s East Midlands Food Festival at the Stockyard.
About 175 producers will attend and there will be a schedule of talks and demonstrations in the Food Theatre plus workshops for all ages.
Gospel choir, El Eaga, Melstrum Ukulele Band and the New St George Morris dancers will perform.
Tickets cost £7 (free for children under 16) – go to www.meltonfestivals.co.uk for details.