Applications
CLOSED!  

Our 2026 World Food Festival applications Of Interest are NOW CLOSED! 

Dates: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of May 2026 
Times: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm 
Location: Welwyn Garden City town centre

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Important Information for Applicants:

No 1-day trading options will be offered at this stage — you must be available for both days.

Bars/alcohol vendors: Please note we are not accepting applications from alcohol providers at this time.

Only traders with a current Food Hygiene Rating of 5 will be considered.

Application deadline: 31st October 2025 at 12 noon

All applicants will be notified by 28th November 2025

 

We’ve received a record number of applications for our 2026 World Food Festival, including lots of exciting new traders! 

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As our event continues to grow and evolve, we’re making sure it reflects your feedback. Attendees of last year's event told us in our surveys that they would love to see more variety and new traders, and we have taken that feedback on board. 

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While we’d love to offer every trader a pitch and support every business, space is limited.

 

Each application will be carefully reviewed by a panel of three, based on the following criteria:

What We Look For:

Our team carefully reviews each application, considering:

• Registered with your local authority with a level 5 food hygiene rating. 

• Visual appeal and presentation of your trailer or pitch. Will it enhance the look at feel of our popular event

• Menu variety and suitability for a diverse, international food audience

• Customer and event reviews and feedback

• Social media presence and engagement. How well you promote yourself and events that you attend
   

Previous trading experience

If you’ve traded with us before, we’ll also consider:

• Professionalism and etiquette at previous events

• Compliance with our booking processes and event communications

• Social media - How well did you promote the event and yourself 

• Event staff and environmental health feedback

• Public and customer feedback 

• Attitude and behaviour toward event staff
   

Required Documentation (if accepted):

Once accepted, traders will have 30 days to submit payment and provide:

• Public Liability Insurance (£5M–£10M)

• Gas Safety Certificates (if applicable)

• PAT Testing Certificates (if applicable)

• Food Safety Certificate (Level 2 or higher)

• General & Fire Risk Assessments

• Food Hygiene Rating of 5

• Up to date Safer Food Better Business Records 

We may also contact other event organisers for references.
 

• PLEASE NOTE THAT PRIORITY BOOKINGS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO OUR TOWN CENTRE BUSINESSES!

• WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING BARISTAS OR COFFEE TRADERS AT THIS EVENT. 

• THIS APPLICATION IS NOT FOR MARKET TRADERS! AFTER FEEDBACK TRADER'S AND PUBLIC WE WILL BE REVIEWING THE MARKET AREA. 

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*Please note that we reserve the right to close the application process earlier than the stated deadline if necessary. 

 

All traders will be required to pay a £100 deposit to secure their pitch. Payment will need to be paid by 31st January 2026. 
 

Questions?
Email us at: worldfoodfestival@welwyngarden.co.uk