THE highly anticipated Northwich Beer and Drinks Festival 2020 has had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.

A much-loved event, the festival would have celebrated it’s 27th staging this September, but has had to be pushed back a year to 2021.

Organisers say that this is because of no assurances that the current lockdown period will be lifted in time and that social distancing, which is likely to still be in place, would be difficult to implement.

Other factors include the extensive sanitising process that would need to have been completed and it being unfair to approach sponsors for crucial donations when those business are suffering themselves through the pandemic.

Festival chair Peter Holland said: “Unfortunately, due to the ongoing public health concerns, we have decided that it's best for all if we postpone this event.

“We're incredibly sorry and we were all so excited about building on the success of our previous festivals.

“However, we feel it's truly the best decision for everyone given the current situation.

“We look forward once again to enjoying the bands, the beers, perhaps the odd gin, and welcoming our loyal sponsors and supporters back to our traditional venue at Northwich Memorial Court."

Revised dates for the festival have been selected as Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18, 2021.