STREET Fest is wanted back in Stalybridge for 2025.
Much talk has surrounded the future of the event, which has proved a hit since it started in 2021.
But after Tameside Council submitted an application for £20,000 from the newly-named Local Authority Flexible Grants programme – formerly known as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – it may come back.
And documents regarding the potential award – which must be confirmed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – reveal why it is wanted.
In Tameside Council’s proposal, it states: “The Stalybridge Street Fest is an early evening street food and drink market offering a wide array of hot food, drinks, family entertainment, and live music.
“Since its introduction in July 2021, Street Fest has helped to positively raise awareness of Stalybridge town centre appearing in a number of publications and attracting thousands of additional visitors from Tameside and across Greater Manchester.
“This will be used to fund Street Fest for an additional year.”
A proposal for a similar sum, part of a total package of just over £1.7 million, would also be used to activate artisan and craft anchor markets in Stalybridge and Mossley.
And the documents add: “Local authorities will receive one grant with increased flexibility on how it can be spent locally.
“This would combine the currently separate UKSPF grants which were categorised against specific areas of delivery such as communities and place and SME business support.
“It is expected that there will be more flexibility in comparison to UKSPF
“It is expected that grant will be revenue in nature, but that the council will have the flexibility to capitalise as necessary at a local level in line with the proposed programme of works.”
If Tameside’s proposal is successful, rollout is expected to start in April.