The annual event in Birmingham was left reeling, after the loss of a major sponsor, however new sponsors have now come forward and the event will take place on Sunday 15 March.

Chasetown Civil Engineering in Burntwood and Birmingham developer Court Collaboration have now stepped in to sponsor the event, after previous sponsor Kiely Bros was unable to continue providing financial support.

The annual event, which was launched in 1952, attracts more than 100,000 visitors  and is claimed to be the third largest St Patrick’s Parade in the world. This years event will take place on Sunday 15 March, two days in advance of St Patrick's Day itself, and will have a theme of The Irish Quarter.

The theme will pay homage to the contribution Irish workers made to the rebuilding of Birmingham in the post-War period and the ongoing development of Digbeth. Festival chairman Peter Connolly said:

"We are hugely grateful and incredibly pleased to be able to confirm Chasetown Civil Engineers and Court Collaboration as our partners for the 2020 edition of The Birmingham St. Patrick’s Festival and Parade.

"It has been a very stressful few weeks, and the organising committee would like to take this opportunity to thank Chasetown and Court Collaboration, without their support the parade simply wouldn’t be happening this year.

"We are now looking forward to sharing with you all our stage lineup, Emerald Village and parade inclusion details."