THE organisers of Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival have been praised by Bury Council.

Cllr Ian Bevan raised the efforts of the Ramsbottom Business Group at a full council meeting on April 6, asking if council leader Mike Connolly would join him in congratulating the group.

More than 60 stalls featured as part of the 2016 gathering which took place on March 19 and 20 and saw around 20,000 visitors flock to town.

Cllr Connolly said: “I am delighted to congratulate all the organisers of the 2016 festival.

“For the eighth year running the two day chocolate festival was a great success with more than 20,000 visitors estimated to have attended the event.

“With additional family entertainment provided in addition to the popular street market the business group felt that visitors to this year’s festival were spending longer in the town, and that the local economy and businesses across the town have benefitted as a result.

He added he was pleased to see the council working successfully with the organisers and offered further support in future.

Cllr Connolly added: “I am pleased that the council has continued to work successfully with the business group to enable, facilitate and encourage organisation of the festival by the business group themselves.”

“Our role now includes formal support where needed such as licensing and road closure requirements, together with support to promote the festival further afield via the VisitBury website and social media.

“Through our business liaison function the council will continue to support the Ramsbottom Business Group and other business groups where they exist, wherever possible to ensure that this and other important event activity continues helping to retain the borough’s position as a premier destination for retail, leisure, tourism and culture.”