Shrewsbury International Street Theatre Festival (SISTF) has secured two major sponsors to support this year’s event.

Based in Shrewsbury, the Darwin, Pride Hill & Riverside Shopping Centres (DPHRSC) and The Lion Hotel will be sponsoring a respective stage area or performance circle at one of the four locations throughout the town.

Nicholas Pitt, general manager at DPHRSC, said: “We have opted for the site in The Square, which is where most of the major acts will be performing over the weekend. Sponsoring the festival falls neatly into our marketing plan and we are confident the awareness raised among the thousands of people attending the festival, will increase the footfall and trade for businesses in the two shopping centres.”

The performance circle on Shrewsbury’s High Street will be sponsored by The Lion Hotel and owner, Howard Astbury, said: “SISTF in particular brings many people into Shrewsbury and if they’re from out of town and here for the weekend, they’ll invariably want somewhere to stay. We aim to provide an enjoyable and quality experience at The Lion and would hope that they choose us again on their next visit to Shrewsbury. In addition, I’m more than happy to support such a wonderful and unique event on our doorstep. We wish Bill and his team all the best for this year.”

Festival director Bill Ferguson said: “Whilst we receive generous support from Arts Council England and Shropshire Council, securing private sector funding has a number of positive outcomes. The finance helps to place the festival on a secure footing each year, enhances its status and is an acknowledgement that businesses recognise the economic benefits to them from offering such support.”

Businesses wishing to sponsor this year's festival can contact Neville Street at Stella Six PR by telephone on 01743 246917 or by email nev@stellasix.com (mark the enquiry 'SISTF sponsorship') for details outlining the various packages. 

More information about SISTF is available on the website at www.shrewsburystreetfest.co.uk and the Facebook site – Shrewsbury International Street Theatre Festival.

Picture (left to right): Nicholas Pitt, general manager, Darwin, Pride Hill & Riverside Shopping Centres, Bill Ferguson, director, SISTF and Howard Astbury, owner, The Lion Hotel.