Beer lovers have been raising a glass or two at this years Bolton Beer Festival.
The festival was cancelled last year due to Covid-19, but the bustling and exciting event is back for the 27th time at The Whites Hotel, Middlebrook, to raise money for Bolton Lads and Girls Club and it has so far been a huge success.
Laura Pendlebury, Relationship Manager at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, said: "Everyone has absolutely loved it so far because I think people have just not been anywhere since Covid, so in particular today as its the sponsor event, that's local businesses coming together and reconnecting and just getting back into the world and feeling a bit normal again.
"The sponsorship has already overachieved what we usually would have and last night we had about 400 people in so were hopeful that the rest of the evenings are just as busy."
(VOLUNTEERS: Bolton Lads and Girls Club volunteers serving eager event goers)
The festival is being hosted in the Premiere Suite featuring more than 200 beers, ciders, lagers, fizz, spirits and zero percent beer too, sponsored by local businesses and a range of live music and performances.
Laura said they are hoping to raise £50,000 profit after a hard year due to Covid-19.
She said: "For us during Covid, we had to up our services so we found that poverty was just absolutely ten fold.
(KEGS: More than 180 kegs were sponsored by local businesses and breweries)
"So we committed to offering free lunches, giving computers and internet access and we found that there were new projects and services that were born from Covid.
"We've grown but unfortunately the fundraising hasn't, so we've massively missed that, its took a huge hit and we rely on fundraising to carry on."
Gary Oxborough, a spokesperson for Barlow Irvin Financial Services, a sponsor of the event, said: "We have sponsored barrels here for three or four years and we just love it.
"We love the event, it's the best business event in Bolton. You just have to look around you, it's just amazing."
All funds from the Beer Festival will go to Bolton Lads and Girls Club and volunteer, Kate, said the fundraising events are vital.
She said: "These events are so important because it raises vital funds for the young people that are in Bolton, so they are well worth doing."
Tickets are still available on the door or online at https://www.beer-festival.co.uk/tickets/ for tonight and tomorrow
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