06 June 2023
Organised by local traders to bring awareness to the fantastic independent businesses in the area, the festival aims to build a healthier local economy that benefits everyone.
GO! Southampton will be sponsoring the eagerly anticipated and free-to-attend Bedford Place Summer Festival next month, taking place on Sunday 2nd July from 10am to 4pm.
A jam-packed entertainment schedule promises an incredible day of street food, independent market traders and family entertainment from the likes of ever-popular Still Moving DJs and the Sing Now Choir.
Making a return will be Lindy Club dance demonstrations, where participants can try their hand at some classic Lindy Hop dance moves, inspired by the Charleston, jazz and breakaway dance styles of 1920’s America.
Also, new for 2023 will be performance from The Sound Pop Academy, artist workshops and performances by The Halliwells and The Henrys on Carlton Place. The mobile farm featuring donkeys, pygmy goats and rabbits will be returning this year with alpacas making a debut appearance.
The Village Pop Up will be providing entertainment as well as stalls from local traders along the recently redesigned Carlton Place and Lower Banister Street.
Now in its sixth year, the community celebration will be the first event in the area since the completion of the improvements in Bedford Place and Carlton Place. The new works have been championed by GO! Southampton after its involvement with temporarily closing the area to traffic during Covid restrictions, as part of its Southampton Inside Out scheme to enable hospitality businesses to continue to trade by opening outdoor seating areas.
Event organiser Caroline French and managing director of W. J French & Son in Bedford Place said “This is a non-profit community event, put together on behalf of the traders to help raise awareness of the unique and special retail and hospitality businesses we have in both Bedford Place and Carlton Place. We want to offer locals a day of music and dance, interesting stalls, art demonstrations, fun for the kids and a chance to have some great food and drink with friends. This year will be even better as we can expand the festival into the new pedestrianised area in Carlton Place, where there will be further entertainment and even more stalls from the Village Pop up.”
Stephen Manion, the Executive Director of GO! Southampton added: “It is great to see this event back in the city for its sixth year, especially now, as it’s a great opportunity to showcase the newly pedestrianised Bedford Place and Carlton Place.
“During Covid-19 the closure of the area to traffic enabled bars and restaurants to safely use the outdoor space for seating and many businesses have been able to increase revenue as a result of this extra space.
“Now that the area is permanently traffic-free and revitalised, the spaces can be used more flexibly for outdoor dining and to host events like this, just in time for what we hope to be a brilliant summer season.”
Residents and visitors to Southampton are invited to enjoy the free entertainment and support local independent businesses at the Bedford Place Summer Festival on Sunday 2nd July from 10am to 4pm.
To find out more about the event click here.
How can your business get involved?
Through our sponsorship, levy payers can receive a 25% discount on stalls on the day. For stall information, or if your street would like to learn more about event sponsorship through the BID, please contact Flo at flo.bevis@gosouthampton.co.uk.
