Big Feast 2024 FAQ

Where is this event taking place? 

The Big Feast will be taking place throughout Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley) on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August from 11am to 5pm. Take a look at our performance locations in the city centre. For a map of locations, see the Big Feast 24 Brochure.

Is it free?

Yes, The Big Feast is free of charge, though we always welcome donations. Look out for our donation buckets or donate online.

Is the event accessible?

Yes, all performances and activities are accessible to wheelchairs. Some performances have BSL and Audio Description. Check out performance times and find Easy Reads where available in the artist information on the Big Feast 24 homepage. For other accessible services, refer to the Big Feast 24 Access page.

Will there be food? 

Food will not be provided as part of The Big Feast, however there are lots of food and drink venues throughout the city centre. You can find out more via the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID website.

Where can I park?

Free parking is located at the Tesco Extra, however please note there is a 2-hour time limit for free parking. Paid parking can be found at John Street, ST1 3BP and Meigh Street, ST1 2ET.

There are also other carparks in Hanley.

Can I get the bus there?

There are good bus services into the city centre. Here are some useful sites that can help you plan your journey:

First Bus planner

D&G bus times

Arriva bus planner

Stoke-on-Trent City Council Journey Planner (incl. live times)

Staffs County Council Timetables and Planners

Where can I use the loo?

Toilets and baby changing facilities can be found at Hanley Indoor Market, City Centre Bus Station, The Potteries Centre and Tesco Extra. Changing Places toilets are available at Hanley Indoor Market and Smithfield 1.

Can I bring my dog to this event?

Dogs are welcome in the city centre. Please keep dogs on leads at all times and ensure you clean up after them. Assistance dogs are also welcome in the Potteries Museum & Art Galley and The Potteries Centre.

Will there be photography and filming at this event?

Photography and filming will be taking place at the event. If you do not want to be filmed or photographed, please inform a member of staff onsite. Our events take place in public spaces and are attended by many who will take photos. We are not in control of all photography or filming at the event, only official event photographers.

How do you make your events safe?

Appetite, along with it’s Production Manager, PH Productions, has been organising events, large and small scale, for over 10 years. We have lots of knowledge and experience in our team ensuring we plan for all eventualities to keep our events safe and welcoming. We work with a number of partners, including the local councils, Business Improvement Districts and Police, to ensure we have up to date information and can make plans accordingly. We always have an additional security presence at our large events and are in close radio and phone contact. We produce risk assessments and event management plans to ensure everything from installing a stage to keeping our audiences safe has been considered. During the event our trained staff implement our plans and adapt to any changing circumstances, to ensure everyone has a safe and welcoming experience.  

The Big Feast 2024: Access Information

Welcome to The Big Feast 2024 – our 10th edition!

We’re so excited to be bringing a delicious mix of FREE performance, music and dance back to the streets of the city centre (Hanley) for the 10th time! Come along and tuck in on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August from 11am to 5pm. 

As well as all the information below, you can find out everything you need to know to plan your visit on the Big Feast 24 homepage and FAQ page. And why not listen to our Audio Introduction?

Check out our BSL introduction to The Big Feast 2024 below: 

Finding help at The Big Feast

If you’re looking for any support, information or guidance at The Big Feast, our wonderful and friendly team of volunteers and staff will be all around the city centre. 

Our volunteers and staff will be wearing a blue t-shirt or hoodie, with the large Appetite logo on the back in white and ‘Appetite’ written below.

The image shows the back of a person. They are pointing their left arm in the air. They are outdoors, there are people around them and they are looking at a stage. The person is wearing a blue hoodie and the Appetite logo is on the back of their hoodie in white.
Two people wearing blue Appetite hoodies and black trousers are stood outside in a town centre, they are smiling.
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BSL & Audio Description

BSL and Audio Description are available throughout The Big Feast for various performances. 

You can find out this information in our brochure, or in the information for each artist over on our Big Feast homepage.

Audio Description headsets will be available to borrow onsite across the two days. Please speak to a member of staff or volunteer onsite.

Easy Read Icon

Easy Reads 

Keep checking our website for our Big Feast Easy Read. 

There are some Easy Reads available online for the performances happening across the two days. You can find out this information by visiting the individual webpages of the artists over on our Big Feast homepage.

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Wheelchair access 

All of the performances taking place at The Big Feast are wheelchair accessible.

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Noise Cancelling Headphones 

Adult and child noise cancelling headphones are available to borrow for free at The Big Feast.

Please speak to a member of staff or volunteer on the day for more information. 

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Assistance Dogs 

Assistance dogs are always welcome in the city centre. They are also welcome inside the Potteries Museum Museum & Art Gallery, and The Potteries Museum.

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Blue Badge Parking

Two hours free parking at Tesco Extra, Hanley.

Free parking with a Blue Badge at:

  • Charles Street – on-street parking (26 spaces)

  • Meigh Street (25 spaces)

  • Pall Mall (14 Blue Badge spaces)

Paid parking can be found at:

  • John Street (13 Blue Badge spaces)

  • Smithfield MSCP (32 Blue Badge spaces)

  • The Potteries Centre (67 spaces)

Accessible toilets 

Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available at Hanley Indoor Market, Hanley Library, Hanley Bus Station, Potteries Centre and Tesco Extra.

Changing Places toilets are available at Hanley Indoor Market and Smithfield 1.

Photography and Filming 

Please note that we will have photography and filmmaking taking place throughout the event. If you do not wish to be captured on film, please make sure to let one of our volunteers or members of staff know so that we can inform the crew members.

Our events take place in public spaces and are attended by large numbers of the public who will take their own photos. Appetite is not in control of all photographs and videos taken at the event, only the official photographers.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about access at The Big Feast, please email askus@appetite.org.uk or call us on 01782 381373.

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID logo which reads 'Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID a business alliance'
Smithfield Logo Black
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Want to know what else is going on?

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