The Stockport night out that is like going to a festival with live music and food trucks

Festival season is upon us but you don’t have to travel far or fork out hundreds for a similar experience closer to home. Every last Friday of the month, thousands of people descend on Stockport ’s Old Town for a celebration of good music and good food.

The busy atmosphere is electric, with bands and singers performing inside and outside of the historic Victorian Market Hall, where residents can have a boogie to get them into the ‘Friday feeling’. As the name suggests - Foodie Friday - there are a string of varied traders to choose from for delicious grub, while you can get a drink at one of the surrounding pubs that have their doors wide open in support.

The monthly event sees the community come together, which is the aim for organiser John Bassatt. “It gives people a sense of belonging,” he says.

READ MORE: Opening of Manchester's park in the skies delayed - with no new date given yet

“We knew how important it was to bring the community together to have a good time and support independent businesses. Foodie Friday is like a festival every month with street food, drink and great music from local musicians. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young bands to showcase their talents.

"The thing that makes it special is the people that come to the event. I’m from Stockport, I love it, I’ve lived here all my life - I can trace my family tree back to over 200 years living in Stockport. I’m really proud of the town and its people.”

He adds: “The atmosphere in the Market Hall where the performers are is really special.” Foodie Friday was started by Stockport Council in 2013, run by councillor Esther Morrison, as part of a ‘love your local market campaign’. Once she left the council in 2015, John and his wife, Rosemary, and son,