Bentley Bridge Leisure Park, located just two miles east of Wolverhampton, is a bustling shopping destination attracting around three million visitors each year. Developed in the 1990s on the site of the former Bentley Canal, which was closed in the early 1960s, the leisure park features a cast-iron footbridge crossing a remaining section of the canal. This connects to the nearby Wyrley and Essington Canal, lending the Wednesfield-based shopping centre its name.
While the leisure park itself sees millions of visitors annually, an event held just behind it has steadily gained momentum since its launch in 2014. The Wednesfield Canal Festival, organised by Wednesfield North councillor Phil Bateman among others, is forecast to attract a record-breaking 12,400 visitors this year.
The festival offers a variety of activities for attendees, including a floating craft market, a funfair, and kayaking opportunities along the canal. Speaking to BirminghamLive during a recent visit, Councillor Bateman highlighted the festival’s safe and friendly atmosphere, noting, “In all the years it’s been running, we’ve never had an incident take place, like a fight. When the police came last year, they were getting jumpy. They thought flippin' heck, there’s some people here.”
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Inspector Emma Clarke of Wednesfield Police emphasised the positive relationship between the police and the festival organisers. She said, “We are always delighted for our community events to be well supported by residents, traders and visitors alike, and we have a policing plan in place to help ensure everyone stays safe. As part of those plans, we work closely with organisers beforehand and attend on the day to act as reassurance and monitor the event as it progresses. That will be happening again as we all get ready for the next Wednesfield Canal Festival.”
Inspector Clarke added that such events provide valuable opportunities for the police to engage with the community, encouraging residents to approach officers with a friendly “hello” when they see them around the festival.