New research reveals success of Kendal Mountain Festival

The independent research took place during the weekend of the 2015 event, from 17- 20 November. It calculated that for every £1 spent by organisers of the event, visitors spent £6.40 in local shops, restaurants and hotels.

The festival, which included an international film competition, screenings, exhibitions, workshops and a trail run, largely attracted visitors from outside Kendal – 60 per cent of attendees were from elsewhere. Festival-goers gave a big thumbs up to both the festival and Kendal itself – 98 per cent of people were positive about the festival and future attendance.

The survey found that the festival directly benefited the town centre economy, with 80 per cent of visitors having a meal or a drink and 23 per cent going shopping.

Staying visitors from outside Cumbria spent over £150 per person on average over the course of the festival weekend.

Steve Scott, Director of Kendal Mountain Events, said: “We’re delighted at the findings in the economic report commissioned by South Lakeland District Council. This reinforces the value of the event to the town and region and the fact we are attracting more visitors from around the UK and overseas is great news to us.

“As an organisation we continue to grow and take ‘brand Kendal’ around the world. There are many exiting new developments for 2016 which we are all working hard to develop. Long may this growth continue.”

Matt Williams, from Invest in South Lakeland, the South Lakeland District Council-run programme which encourages business growth, investment and promotes the district’s lifestyle offer, said: “Delivering these kinds of high quality events is a great opportunity to showcase the very best of what the area has to offer.

“Festivals also give a huge boost to the local economy and our town centres. The return on investment is substantial and visitors have such a good time they are very likely to come back again.”