Organisers axe Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park for Tunbridge Wells next year
Published: 17:05, 14 November 2023
Updated: 08:12, 15 November 2023
Organisers of a food, drink and music festival have revealed they won’t be returning to Kent.
Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park has been axed for Tunbridge Wells next year.
The three-day festival usually takes place at Dunorlan Park and celebrates the best of live music, top chefs and pop-up bars.
Last year it included headline sets from drum and bass group Rudimental, pop band McFly and disco legends Sister Sledge.
Live demos were held by Great British Menu star Andi Oliver, Hairy Bikers chef Si King, as well as Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt.
The event also supported local business and restaurants, giving them the opportunity to showcase a number of dishes to the public.
Set up in 2018 by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, Pub in the Park toured 10 venues across the country.
However, next year only four locations will be kept. They are Marlow, Chiswick, Reigate and St Albans.
The organisers promise each event will have “new features, more stages and new ways to attend”.
It was recently revealed that the Reigate venue will expand to include weekend camping and glamping.
An email sent to previous festival-goers addressed the change.
“Having criss-crossed the land since 2018 bringing Pub in The Park to towns throughout the country, we’ve decided it’s time to put down some roots,” it said.
“So, next year we plan to replace our regional touring format with four newly designed, bigger and better festivals in Marlow, Chiswick, Reigate and St Albans.
“Each event will have its own unique characteristics that we are really excited about.
“We are sad not to be returning to towns where we’ve had so much fun in the past, but in the current climate our Pub in The Park smaller shows are unfortunately unviable.”
It is not known if the festival will return to the town in the future.
A spokeswoman for Pub in the Park said: “We loved hosting Pub in the Park in Tunbridge Wells, but regrettably it isn’t viable to continue, and therefore we’re focusing on building four of the best events we can in 2024, using learnings from the 10-event tour last year.
“We appreciate that may be disappointing news but hope you’ll be able to come to your new nearest Pub in the Park event. We will be ready to welcome you with open arms.”
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Cara Simmonds