WHY CHANGE VENUE BY ORGANISER NICK PELLINGTON

A couple months ago, the Stoke Beer Festival Organisation Team made the bold decision to move the 30th Beer Festival from its traditional home in the Kings Hall to Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

Firstly I would like to explain the main reasons for the move- all of which were made in the interests of you, the customer –

1. We had outgrown the Kings Hall, turning scores of people away, who, on a Friday & Saturday Night had queued for 2 hours; this was a one of the most uncomfortable jobs a door manager has to do, not to mention being deeply disappointing for those concerned.
2. The Hall hire costs were steadily rising, whilst the income remained static; leaving us with the option of raising the entry fee or moving the festival.
3. The facilities at the Kings Hall were also becoming a factor, for instance the restricted seating area, the new and inadequate toilet facilities (which fool ordered the old toilets to be ripped out?) and catering facilities, about which the least said the better.

Fenton Manor on the other hand may not have the character of the Kings Hall but it is –

1. Bigger– queuing should be restricted to the early birds who can not wait for the Beer Festival to open.
2. Unchanged entrance fee, meaning that you get more space and better facilities for your money.
3. The aforementioned better facilities are better toilets and a proper café with seating and a ventilation system which will mean we're not all gasping for air during busy periods.

We also have even more beer– and a bus facility that will bring you in from Stoke & Hanley for just a quid!