Telford's economy boosted by 50th anniversary celebrations
Major events celebrating Telford’s 50th anniversary have boosted the town’s economy by hundreds of thousands of pounds.
About 12,000 people came to Spring Into St George’s Day in April, 30,000 to Telford Kite and Balloon Fiesta in May and a further 20,000 flocked to Sunday’s Telford Carnival.
Councillor Rae Evans, Cabinet member for tourism, said the events had a “very positive” impact on the local economy. She said: “Tourism industry research shows that an average day visitor to an area spends between £15 to £25 a head on a visit to an event such as those we have run.
“The main Telford 50 events have been free non-ticketed events and as such it is very difficult to know precisely how many from the 62,000 people came from outside the borough.
“However, from feedback at the events and from social media, we know people have come from all over the UK.”
Councillor Evans said the events could attract new business owners the area.
“We can be sure that these events have attracted a huge number of people to Telford and estimate that these new visitors have generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in extra spend in the borough and had a very positive effect on our economy.
“Additionally, it is known that many business owners decide to move their businesses to a town following a positive recreational visit. We hope many of those people will also come back here again and help spread the word of what this borough has to offer.”
The next major Telford50 event will be a series of shows in a specially built big top in Telford Town Park.
There will be 15 shows across a two week period, including performances by tenor Russell Watson, comedian Dara O Briain, Boyzone and Westlife supergroup Boyzlife, Al Murray, S Club, 5ive and East17.
There will also be shows by Britain's Got Talent act Collabro and Doreen Tipton.
Other attractions include nights of sixties, seventies and eighties music, Dinosaur World Live, and a sing-a-long showing of The Greatest Showman.
Tickets are still on offer. For more information visit telford50.co.uk
Tickets are also on sale via theplacetelford.com or from the Box Office on 01952 382382.
Later in the year there will be the Telford Community Pride Awards.
Events so far have also included Pantomania, a specially commissioned Telford50 Easter pantomime, and the Sakura Festival, which celebrated the town's relationship with Japan.
