The streets of Neath will be packed this weekend when the town’s annual Real Ale and Cider Festival gets under way.
Latest footfall figures show that last weekend, during Neath’s annual Music Festival, nearly 100,000 people filled the streets of the town.
For this weekend’s Real Ale and Cider Festival, more than 40 tasty real ales and ciders will be on offer at the festival’s base in Neath Town Hall from Friday, July 19th to Saturday, July 20th (12 midday to 11pm).
Tickets for the festival, organised by the Neath Town Centre Consortium, are £5.50 on the door or £5 booked in advance from the Gwyn Hall.
Those who buy a ticket for the Friday event will be entitled to free entry for the Saturday event (provided they are still wearing the wristband issued for entry to the Town Hall on Friday).
Many pubs, clubs, cafes and bars are involved in the festival via the “Real Ale Trail”. These include The Cross Keys, The Greyhound, The Allan Leonard Lewis, The Gwyn Hall, 10/21, Charlie’s Bar and Grill, Moruzzi and Co., Neath RFC, The Big Cam and The David Protheroe.
On Saturday, there will also be live music in Angel Square from Santa Cruz and Like a Lion and a stall selling bottled ales, ciders and different types of prosecco.
Coles the Butchers will also have a stall selling its renowned pulled pork.
Among the many ciders on offer will be Hallets Heartbreaker, Oak-y-Dokey and Pig Swill from Afal y Graig and Dog Dancer from Gwynt y Ddraig while among the long list of ales at the festival will be Cherry Bomb from Neath Ales, Mumbles Gold from the Mumbles Brewery, Gower Power from the Gower Brewery, Mosaic Pale Ale (Grey Trees) and Golden Goat (Little Goat Brewery).
The Real Ale and Cider Festival is just one of a string of popular events held in Neath’s town centre which help provide a boost in footfall.
Other events include the Neath Comedy Festival (held annually in June), Neath Music Festival (held successfully last weekend when the town recorded footfall figures of 96,961), Neath September Fair (September 11th – 14th), The Neath Food and Drink Festival (October 4th – 6th) and the Neath “Christmas Lights On” Festival (29th November) which this year will include a Christmas Fayre.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainable Development, Cllr Annette Wingrave, said:
“Neath is a lively town with a good mix of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and a lot more. Regular fixtures such as the Real Ale and Cider Festival bring a boost to footfall and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to this year’s event.”
