Taste Cumbria’s Christmas extravaganza in Cockermouth is estimated to have boosted the local economy by £3.4m.
Around 23,000 people attended the event over the weekend and 41 per cent of visitors surveyed said that the festival was a significant improvement on the one held in 2021.
Research was carried out on behalf of organisers Allerdale council by Red Research.
Taste Cumbria Christmas, held on December 10 and 11, found that 99 per cent of the attendees who were interviewed said they would come to another, similar event in the future and 98 per cent would also recommend attending to others.
The festive event also supported local businesses in the town. Red Research asked attendees whether they were doing anything else on their visit. More than 70 per cent said they would be going for a meal or a drink, 65 per cent would go shopping, 18 per cent said they would do some general sightseeing and seven per cent planned on a walk.
As well as Taste Cumbria Christmas, Red Research also carried out a survey at last year’s Workington Hall Winter Light and Sound event, held on Friday December 2 and December 3.
It saw the hall and parklands illuminated with festive lights with a soundscape of music, created by West Cumbria-based charity, Soundwave playing alongside.
Visitors were taken on a journey through Workington’s history through projections of images of the town, supplied by the Helena Thompson Museum. These were projected on to the side of the hall by Cockermouth-based Fluid Productions. There were also food stalls and fairgrounds for children.
Red Research’s report revealed that the total economic impact of the Workington Hall Light and Sound event in 2022 is estimated at £57,179, almost double £30,806 for the 2021 event.
The report also calculated that for everyone pound spend on the event, there was a £2.32 return on investment. A significant increase on the return on investment of £1.54 in 2021.
Leader of Allerdale Council Mike Johnson, said: “Red Research’s report has provided some excellent data surrounding both the Taste Cumbria Christmas and the Workington Hall Light and Sound events.
“The research proves just how valued these events are to Allerdale residents and to those visiting the borough. It also proves how beneficial they are for local businesses. It’s fantastic to see how well supported the events have been, and I hope to see them grow in success and popularity under the new Cumberland Council come April 1, and beyond.”
