The Bedford Place Summer Festival is set to return for another year and highlight the independent businesses that Southampton has to offer.

Set to return on Sunday, June 23, there will be a range of food, drink and live music for visitors to enjoy.

This year, the festival has a new organiser, Matt Sanger, who lectures at Solent University and has experience as an event director in the UK and overseas.

Matt is working with Bedford Place and Carlton Place traders to highlight their products and services.

He said: “This event is a celebration for and about the local community, and everyone is welcome.

“It’s completely free, and there is something for everyone.

“Local traders’ stalls will provide visitors with a mix of food, drink and artisan products to keep them well fuelled as well as presenting a host of reasons to treat themselves to something special.”

The event will be centred on the newly pedestrianised area of Carlton Place, Lower and Upper Banister Street.

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Visitors can enjoy the musical stylings of Southampton Ukulele Jam and entertaining performances from Jake’s Circus.

As well as the array of traders, stallholders, and performers, there will of course be the Bedford Place and Carlton Place favourites; 7Bone, Piecarumba and Overdraft will all be offering food and refreshments.

Daily Echo: The 2023 Bedford Place Summer Festival The 2023 Bedford Place Summer Festival (Image: Submitted)Organiser Matt added: “We have a huge amount of talent here and we can’t wait to showcase it.

“The popular Lindy Hop Dancers and Still Moving DJs are making a return this year, and there will be lots of other live music and entertainment across the day for people to enjoy.”

‘Raven & Bine’, Dancing Man Brewery’s second venue which will be opening in the summer will also offer food and drinks, as well as a good spot to watch some of the action.

Flo Bevis, Marketing Manager of GO! Southampton, said: “We are proud to be sponsoring this year’s Festival.

“This not-for-profit event helps showcase the unique mix of businesses in Carlton Place and Bedford Place and to celebrate what a beautiful, thriving area this is for those who live and work here.”