Food festival at Northampton's Delapre Abbey hopes to 'bring everyone back together' for one summer night

A food and drink festival built out of specialised vans and horseboxes will be making a post-lockdown return to Northampton this month.

The StreetBox Convention will pull into the historic stableyard of Delapre Abbey between 4pm and 10pm on July 17 for an evening of artisan food and drink.

Each street food vendor offers their selection from a specialised van, trailer or food box.

And to keep in line with Covid-19 guidelines, entry will be allowed in timely slots and attendance will be limited.

Visitors are asked to keep to a maximum of six people to a group.

One of the organisers and proprietor of Gin Nook Events Su Paterson said: "We are extremely grateful in these torrid time to be given the green light and fantastic support from Delapre Abbey's newly appointed chief executive, Richard Clinton.

"If you missed November's Streetbox event, you are in for a treat. Keeping the trademark Horsebox ambience, each vendor will be serving delicious craft beers, ales, ciders, wines, fizz and of course, gin.

"There will also be an amazing World Street Food Quarter serving international flavours from South Africa charcoal grills to Italian wood-fired pizza oven, to TEX- MEX."

The evening will also kick off with vibrant Afro-Cuban and funk tunes from Northampton's own DJ Jazzi Vibes.

All vendors have been supplied with PPE and social distancing will be in place.

Tickets are available online with a £1 admin fee. Visitors are recommended to bring a picnic blanket so they can sit in a designated family picnic area.

Delapre Abbey's chief executive Richard Clinton said: "We are only too delighted to be able to support the local Food and Drink sector by welcoming and working with The Streebox Convention. We hope this event allows the community to come back together in a socially but most importantly safe way."