• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Tuesday April 30 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol Light Festival boosts city economy by £10.4 million

February’s Bristol Light Festival attracted 275,000 visitors and added £10.4 million to the city’s economy, according to organiser Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

An economic impact report published this week by the BID says £8.7 million in spending occurred directly as a result of the festival taking place.

This year’s festival saw a 10 per cent increase in visitors compared with 2023, despite two days of adverse weather conditions.

Seventy-five per cent of attendees made their trip to the city during this time specifically for the Bristol Light Festival, a further increase since 2023.

The festival also supported 55 jobs.

The 10-day festival played host to 10 free-to-see illuminated art installations, including four world premiers between February 2 and 11.

Attractions included giant wildlife roaming around Finzels Reach, huge glowing flowers in Queen Square and an astronaut floating amongst a cosmos of flowers in St Stephens Church.

The penultimate evening – Saturday, February 10 – was the festival’s most visited day on record, with 80,000 visitors attending.

Businesses benefit from significant increase in footfall

Evanescent

Katherine Jewkes, creative director of Bristol Light Festival, said: “Since our first edition in 2020, the city of Bristol has welcomed the festival with open arms.

“It’s a real full-circle moment to see what the festival has been able to give back to the businesses that add vibrancy to the city centre all year round, and we can’t wait to see what the 2025 edition brings.”

Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “Every year, a key focus for us as part of the festival is to ensure that businesses in the area are able to benefit from the significant increase in footfall on their doorsteps.

“To see such a huge spend being attributed to the festival is testament to how inviting and diverse our city centre businesses are, to attract such a high spend while an event is happening.

“We look forward to continuing to support businesses to attract more customers especially in the quieter months.”

Steve Bluff, head of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said: “Redcliffe & Temple BID businesses continue to back the development of the Bristol Light Festival.

“It’s the city’s major winter festival, attracting many thousands of workers, residents and visitors to explore our city but it also helps to positively portray Bristol right across the UK and internationally.”

Pictured: Bristol is Always a Good Idea (main picture) by Real Hackney Dave at Valentine Bridge, Floating Harbour. Inset Evanescent by Atelier Sisu at College Green. These images © Business Biscuit