Local businesses are set for a bumper weekend this December as thousands of visitors descend on a Lake District town for a Christmas Celebration.
According to organisers, the Windermere Christmas Celebration brings in an average of 10,000 visitors a year for the weekend long event at the beginning of December, meaning increased revenue for businesses and accommodation providers in the area during what is usually a quiet period.
Hotels such as the Windermere Hotel are already full booked for the weekend and have been fully booked for weeks.
Miguel Sanchez, general manager of the Windermere Hotel, said: “We have seen this event grow year on year and the events growth has been mirrored in our own occupancy levels in what would otherwise, even for us, a national company, be a soft weekend in the winter months.
We have no doubt that the event will continue to grow from strength to strength and further benefit many businesses throughout Windermere and the surrounding area at this usually quiet time of year.”
Organisers, who have been tirelessly planning the event alongside sponsors and local councillor, Ben Berry, said this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet.
They hope the addition of an ice rink and more stalls than ever before will continue to affect businesses in a positive way.
Kate Barton, organiser of the Windermere Christmas Celebration, said: “It’s fantastic to hear the event, which hasn’t even happened yet, has had such a brilliant effect on local businesses.
“We’re sure that effect will continue over the Celebration weekend so businesses in the town and our stall holders reap the benefits as we are expecting more people than ever to attend.
“This event has been a huge success over the years, we have a fantastic community who help spread Christmas cheer along with a team of dedicated volunteers, sponsors and committee members who bring this Celebration to life.”
The Lakes Hospitality Association (LHA) have funded this year’s ice rink in the hopes of continuing to grow the event for the community.
James Tasker, proprietor of The Lamplighter Dining Rooms and co-director of the LHA, said: “This is exactly the sort of event our organisation wants to support in order to bring visitors to Windermere and the wider Lake District area during the quieter time of the year.
“It has been wonderful to see this event evolve into an event of significance in Windermere and the surrounding area.
“It has turned a weekend in the middle of winter into one of the highest grossing weekends of the year, the benefits of which are felt among all businesses throughout the village.
“It is only by way of much needed financial support in the form of donations and sponsorship, volunteer help on the day and hundreds of planning hours from the committee that it is able to take place at all.
“Thank you so much to all of those that continue to make this event the wonderful success that it has become.”
