Popular Northampton street food festival moves to indoor venue to continue events during winter

An outdoor street food festival has secured an indoor venue to continue its popular events throughout winter.

Bite Street, which is usually held at Duston Mill in Upton Way, was able to welcome guests and traders back in July after months of no events due to coronavirus restrictions.

According to organisers, the event was really well supported so they were keen to find a way to continue during the colder months.

Starting this weekend (October 9 and 10), the event will be held fortnightly at The County Ground, Abington Avenue, up until Christmas.

Crispin Slee, event organiser, said: “We’ve had a fabulous 2020 season, post-lockdown.

“The event has been really well supported and we’re really grateful to the people of Northampton for turning out.

“We wanted to keep the momentum going.

“To be able to host it indoors we would need plenty of space, The County Ground became available and we thought it would be the ideal venue.

“There is loads of space, tables can be spread out and we have worked really hard to make sure it is safe.”

Up to 224 guests, in groups of no more than six, can be accommodated in the large sports hall, as tables will be spread out, there will be wide gangways and a one-way system in place.

Guests will be asked to wear masks when not seated and obey social distancing.

Traders will be set up outside, with the bar inside and all food and drink will be provided via table service whereby customers order online.

Crispin added: “To have a street food event with full table service is a fairly rare thing and I think guests are looking forward to coming into the warm.

“We’re calling it NN1 rather than NN5, but the indoor event is a very similar vibe. We’re really looking forward to it.

“We have great support around Upton and now we’re moving across town, the people of Abington will have it on their doorstep and will be able to enjoy it.

“It is vital for the traders whose years have been absolutely wrecked by coronavirus and it’s important for the people of Northampton to be able to get out and enjoy street food in the warm.”

A host of traders will be in attendance at this weekend’s event, including The Patty Freaks, Now Now South African Food Co, Saf’s Kitchen, Baja Cantina, The Smoke Pit and The BBQ Rub.

All tickets must be pre-booked and can be bought here, where more information can also be found.

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