Lancashire businesses back beer festival

Blackburn Beer Festival has announced the organisations that have joined Lancashire Business View in backing the annual event which raises funds for charity.

Taking place at Blackburn Rugby Club across May bank holiday weekend - May 3, 4 and 5 - the festival will attract more than 1,500 attendees while raising money for Blackburn Youth Zone.

More than 70 local businesses have pledged to sponsor a beer, and Lancashire Business View is confirmed as the events media partner.

In addition, Totally Wicked, Farleys Solicitors and Hippo Motor Group have been confirmed as headline sponsors.

The event will feature 60 real ales from across the North West and beyond, plus an eclectic selection of ciders and lagers while Whalley Wine Shop serves the finest wine and gin. Live rugby and entertainment will be performed, and Paul Connor will headline the festival on the Sunday.

All of the proceeds will go to the Blackburn Youth Zone, a local charity giving thousands of young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to 365 days of the year, for just 50p.

Ian Liddle, partner at Farleys Solicitors, said: “We are proud to have been a headline sponsor of the Beer Festival since its inception and it goes from strength to strength with this year promising to be the best yet.

"Most importantly, the festival raises much-needed funds for Blackburn Youth Zone, a fantastic charity benefiting the young people of our area – I would urge you to support it.”

Melanie Thomas, fundraising and comms coordinator of Blackburn Youth Zone said: “Thank you to the local businesses who are already involved in this year's Beer Festival, there are still sponsorship packages available and will in return get tickets to an exclusive sponsors lunch and networking event that kick starts the festival on Friday 5th May.”