Kate Pritchard

Lichfield District Council has confirmed it will deliver the Lichfield Food & Drink Festivals in 2026.

The popular events will return as free, community-focused celebrations of local food, drink and makers, while providing a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors of all ages. The 2026 festivals will take place on Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 May for the Spring Food & Drink Festival, and Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August for the Summer Food & Drink Festival.

Building on the strong footfall, trader participation and positive feedback received during the 2025 Summer Food Festival, the council will once again work closely with local businesses, partners and stakeholders to showcase the very best of Lichfield. The festivals continue to play an important role in supporting the city centre, attracting visitors and encouraging people to spend time and money locally, while also helping to strengthen the city’s visitor economy.

A key focus for 2026 will be the community-led nature of the events, the council is offering a range of community and start-up grants for the 2026 festivals. This includes fully funded pitches for eligible new and local traders, as well as small grants to help community groups, charities and organisations deliver fringe activity such as performances, workshops and demonstrations. The funding is designed to reduce barriers to entry and encourage a diverse, community-led programme that adds to the overall festival experience.

Ensuring the events are safe, well-managed and enjoyable for everyone will remain a priority. The council will continue to work closely with partners, traders and emergency services to deliver well-planned festivals with appropriate safety, accessibility and welfare measures in place.
Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Cabinet Member said: “Following the success of the 2025 Summer Food Festival, we’re really pleased to be bringing back both a spring and summer Food & Drink Festival in 2026. These events are a great celebration of Lichfield, supporting our local food and drink businesses and bringing people into the city. We’ll be working closely with traders, partners and community groups to deliver vibrant festivals that are safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.”

Expressions of interest are now open for traders who would like to take part in either or both festivals. Grant funding will also be available to support start-up businesses and community organisations, helping to reduce barriers to entry and encourage wider participation.
Residents, traders and community groups can find out more about the 2026 Food & Drink Festivals, including trader applications, fringe opportunities and available grants, at Lichfield Food & Drink Festival 2026 – Events – Lichfield District Council

Running a Play Street in your neighbourhood enables children to play safely and brings people together

Residents across Lichfield District can sign up in time for spring for a special scheme enabling children to play safely outside their homes.
Play Streets allows residents to close their road to traffic for a couple of hours, creating a safe space for their children to have fun enjoying activities outside.

Promoted and supported by Lichfield District Council’s Active Lichfield Communities Team, a Play Street is organised by a lead resident and supported by at least four other volunteers who support with set up and safely direct any vehicles that need to enter or exit during the activity period.
The team is inviting expressions of interest from residents across the district who would like to run a Play Street from Spring 2026.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said: “Being able to play outside is very important for children to maintain health and boost confidence.

“If you would like to hold a Play Street please contact our Active Lichfield Communities Team. They will be delighted to help.”
The Active Lichfield Communities Team can support residents in setting up a Play Street by

• Providing templates and resources needed to run a Play Street including consultation letters to residents to explain the initiative.
• Supporting with an application for a Temporary Play Street Order to close your street.
• Providing informal training and support for volunteers to safely lead a Play Street
• Providing all equipment free of charge to get started

If a group of neighbouring residents would like to get involved by running a Play Street for their children, please visit www.activelichfield.co.uk/play-streets and complete the expression of interest form or contact sportsdevelopment@lichfielddc.gov.uk

Residents in Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough are invited to sign up or renew subscriptions to have their garden waste collected in 2026.
The collections, by Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council’s Joint Waste Service, save residents from having to take their garden waste to the household waste recycling centre themselves or pay for it to be removed privately.

They are also good for the environment as all the collected garden waste goes to an outdoor composting facility and is used on local farms.
For £42.50, residents will receive up to 23 fortnightly collections running from late January/early February until December 2026.
The collected waste includes:
• Grass cuttings
• Plants and weeds
• Flowers
• Prunings
• Hedge clippings
• Leaves and bark
• Pot plants
• Pond plants
Payment can be made by debit/credit card or by direct debit and residents will be sent a garden waste sticker to put on their garden waste bin and present with the stickered side facing the road on collection day.
Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks & Waste, said: “Our garden waste service continues to offer residents a reliable, convenient, and great-value way to keep their gardens tidy all year round.
“Direct Debit makes it even easier for households to stay subscribed without the need to reapply annually. I encourage residents to sign up early so they’re ready for collections early next year.”

Councillor David Foster, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Waste and Recycling at Tamworth Borough Council added: “The garden waste service is a great example of successful collaborative working between both councils.
“I am pleased that we continue to offer this valued, efficient service to our residents.”
To sign up for garden waste collection please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/mygardenbin or call the Tamworth and Lichfield Joint Waste Service on 0345 002 0022.

Lichfield District Council has launched a new Stay Safe at Christmas campaign, offering residents free, practical advice to help them stay safe over the festive period, along with the chance to win some fantastic local prizes.

Running throughout December and early January, the campaign provides easy-to-follow guidance on a wide range of seasonal safety topics. This includes home safety tips such as securing property, sheds and garages and using lights and decorations safely; personal safety advice for when residents are out shopping or celebrating; guidance on turning a smartphone into an emergency device; how to avoid unsafe toys or counterfeit gifts; practical cooking safety and important reminders about the dangers of drink driving.

Residents can also take part in the council’s festive Christmas Safety Quiz, with the chance to win a selection of brilliant prizes donated by amazing local businesses, including:
• £50 L’Uomo Menswear voucher
• Four tickets to “Cinderella” at Lichfield Garrick Theatre
• A Chef’s Table for Two (worth £220) at The Boat
• £25 voucher for The Dirty Cow
• £50 voucher and two bottles of gin from The Whippet Inn
• Two show tickets from The Hub at St Mary’s (spring/summer 2026)

Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member for Community & Public Protection, said: “The festive season should be a time for celebration, but it’s also a period when risks can increase – from home security and online shopping scams to food safety, drink driving and personal safety on nights out.
“Our Stay Safe at Christmas campaign brings together free information and simple, practical advice to help residents enjoy the season with confidence. The Christmas Safety Quiz is a fun way to learn something useful and we’re grateful to our local businesses for offering some brilliant prizes.”
Cllr Richard Holland Cabinet Member for High Street & Economic Development commented: “I’m delighted that local businesses have come together to support this important campaign. Shopping, eating, and entertaining locally is one of the best ways to share the festive spirit and support our communities. “Every pound spent in a local shop, café or market helps keep money circulating within the area – supporting local jobs, independent traders, and the character of our high streets. So, remember to think local first this Christmas.”

The campaign is supported by the Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership and is part of the district’s wider community safety approach that encourages residents to look out for friends, family and neighbours who may need extra help throughout the year.
Residents can enter online at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/xmascomp Entries close at midnight on 4 January 2026.
For all festive safety tips, prize details and full terms and conditions, visit www.lichfield.gov.uk/xmascomp.

Some bin collection days are changing over the festive period in Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough and we wish to thank residents for their understanding at this particularly busy time.

The changes to bin collections, which are made by the Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council Joint Waste Service, are as follows:

Normal Collection Day Revised Collection Day
Monday, 22 December 2025 Saturday, 20 December 2025
Tuesday, 23 December 2025 Monday, 22 December 2025
Wednesday, 24 December 2025 Tuesday, 23 December 2025
Thursday, 25 December 2025 Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Friday, 26 December 2025 Saturday, 27 December 2025
Monday, 29 December 2025 No change (Monday, 29 December 2025)
Tuesday, 30 December 2025 No change (Tuesday, 30 December 2025)
Wednesday, 31 December 2025 No change (Wednesday, 31 December 2025)
Thursday, 1 January 2026 Friday, 2 January 2026
Friday, 2 January 2026 Saturday, 3 January 2026

Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks and Waste, Councillor Phil Whitehouse, said: “We have made small changes to the bin collection schedule over Christmas and New Year. Please note the revisions and put your bins out for our teams to collect. Thank you for your understanding.”

Councillor David Foster, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, Waste and Recycling at Tamworth Borough Council added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our refuse and recycling operatives. They do a fantastic job each and every year.”
Bin collections will return to their regular schedule on Monday, 5 January 2026.

Garden waste bins are not emptied over the festive period. The last garden waste collections will take place during the week of 12 December 2025. If you are not due a garden waste collection during that week, your last collection will be the week before.
You can download your 2026 calendar online by visiting www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/bincalendar
Full details of the bin collection changes over the festive period are also available online by visiting Christmas bin collection changes.

Parking in all Lichfield District Council-managed car parks in Lichfield City Centre will be permanently free after 6.30pm every day, starting on Tuesday 25 November 2025.

The change is designed to make it easier and more affordable for people to enjoy Lichfield in the evening, supporting local restaurants, pubs, cultural venues and shops, while encouraging more residents and visitors to stay in the city after dark.
In addition to the new permanent evening offer, The Friary Multi-Storey Car Park will also provide free weekend parking on the four weekends leading up to Christmas, from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 21 December.

This festive initiative will make it easier for shoppers and visitors to enjoy Lichfield’s Christmas markets, events and independent businesses, while spending more time in the city centre during the busy retail season.

Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks & Waste, said: “We know how important accessible and affordable parking is to our local economy. By permanently removing evening charges and introducing free weekend parking in the lead-up to Christmas, we’re helping more people enjoy everything Lichfield has to offer – from dining and theatre to shopping and community events.

“These initiatives will give a welcome boost to our high streets and make it easier for residents and visitors to support local businesses.”
The changes form part of the council’s wider work to enhance the visitor experience and support a thriving, accessible city centre.

The free evening parking offer applies to all Lichfield District Council car parks in the city centre from 6.30pm to 7.30am. Daytime charges will remain in place before 6.30pm.

Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for funding to support infrastructure projects that improve quality of life across Lichfield District.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is available for capital projects that deliver new or improved community assets and support the strategic priorities outlined in the council’s Infrastructure Funding Statement. This year, applications are being invited for projects that address needs in the following areas:
• Healthcare
• Transport
• Sports facilities
• Education
Only projects that meet these strategic priorities will be considered for this round of funding. However, smaller community-based initiatives may still be eligible for Neighbourhood CIL, which is administered by local parish and town councils.
Previous projects funded through CIL include:
• A new 3G football pitch at Chasetown Football Club
• The 3G pitch at Lichfield Leisure Centre, Stychbrook Park
• Improvements to the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Alrewas

Councillor Alex Farrell, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Local Plan, said: “The Community Infrastructure Levy provides vital funding for capital projects that make a real difference to residents’ lives. We’re encouraging organisations to come forward now with their proposals.”
Organisations wishing to apply are asked to email cil@lichfielddc.gov.uk or call 01543 308192 for guidance and to confirm project eligibility. The application form is available online, and all submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 12 December.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel from the council’s Strategic Infrastructure Group, with final decisions on funding allocation to be made by the Cabinet in early Spring 2026.