Manchester Beer and Cider Festival has found a new home for 2016.

After six months of negotiations, organisers CAMRA have announced the annual event will relocate from the Velodrome to Manchester Central next year.

It is hoped the new city centre location will attract even more drinkers than the 11,000 who attended the last festival back in January.

Organiser Graham Donning said: “We're very excited to be bringing the festival right into the heart of the city. With direct access from the newly improved Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink station and Deansgate rail station, we couldn’t have a better location for our customers who flock from across the region and indeed from all over the country to attend.

“The last few months have been very busy behind the scenes as we sought the perfect venue. Myself and my colleagues have visited numerous venues across the city and held countless meetings to discuss available dates, logistics, budgets and all the other dull details which the drinkers never see.

“We are delighted that we've been able to secure an agreement with what was our first choice venue.”

The event was held at the National Cycling Centre at Eastlands for its first two years but the Team GB cyclists who train there said the dates of the 2016 event would interfere with their training too much.

Organisers said the alternative date they proposed was too close to Christmas, which they were concerned might put off customers and leave breweries without enough time to make new beers.

More than 500 beers, ciders and perries will be flowing at next year’s event, with festival favourites including Marble, Hawkshead and Brightside breweries already on board alongside relative newcomers such as Cryptic Ales and Seven Brothers.

Next year’s event will be held from January 20 to 23, 2016. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday September 1.

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