Shrewsbury Food Festival comes to an end, organisers announce
Shropshire Festivals says rising costs have made the event unviable
The family-run company behind Shrewsbury Food Festival has announced the event has come to an end.
Shropshire Festivals said it had staged 13 food festivals in the Quarry since 2013.
The company described the festival as its longest-running event.
In a statement published on its website on 15th October 2026, Shropshire Festivals said: "After delivering thirteen successful food festivals in the Quarry since 2013, we are heartbroken to announce that Shrewsbury Food Festival has come to an end."
The statement was signed by Beth and Sid Heath, owners of Shropshire Festivals.
Rising costs
Shropshire Festivals said the cost of staging festivals has risen significantly since the pandemic.
It said infrastructure, staff and fuel costs have all gone up, along with the costs of its suppliers.
The company also said customers have less disposable income.
It said compliance costs have increased too, including the impact of Martyn's Law, which it said increases security costs.
Shropshire Festivals said: "The festival is perfect in every way, but it can't continue in the current economic climate."
Ticket prices
The company said it would not be viable to keep running the festival unless ticket prices rose significantly.
It said it does not believe the public currently has the disposable income to pay more.
Shropshire Festivals said cutting ticket prices would not solve the problem by attracting a much larger audience.
It said a bigger crowd would mean higher costs for security, toilets, admissions staff, waste provision and other infrastructure.
The company said the festival is run by a small, independent team and is not financed by the local council.
It said it pays the council to rent the Quarry.
Shropshire Festivals said it had watched the festival landscape in Shrewsbury change over the last decade, with many events ceasing trading.
It said it would not join forces with a loss-making event and needs to focus on making its own events more viable.
Impact and what happens next
Shropshire Festivals said the decision will have a knock-on effect for exhibitors, sponsors, chefs, suppliers, performers and bands.
It also said hotels, restaurants, shops, cafés, pubs and other businesses will lose additional trade during the festival weekend.
The company said: "We are making this tough decision to remain sustainable for the future."
Shropshire Festivals said it will continue to deliver major public festivals and run events for councils around the county.
It said it will also run private and hospitality events for businesses, and offer consultancy.