Preston Economy Benefits by £5.3 Million from BBC Radio 2 in the Park Event

Preston’s local council has announced that the BBC Radio 2 in the Park event generated £5.3 million for the city’s economy. The three-day festival, held in September at Moor Park, drew close to 70,000 music enthusiasts from across the nation, featuring performances by artists including Pet Shop Boys, Sister Sledge, Sting, and the Sugababes. Data from the council indicated that the BBC-hosted event saw over 16,000 visitors staying overnight, alongside 31,000 individuals attending as day trippers. Councillor Anna Hindle, who serves as the cabinet member for culture and arts at Preston City Council, characterized the event as a significant triumph, stating it “also delivered a substantial boost to our local economy”. She further commented, “The £5.3m spent in the city over the weekend is a testament to Preston’s appeal as a destination for major events.” Helen Thomas, the head of Radio 2, remarked, “We were delighted to broadcast live from several local venues during the build-up to the epic weekend in Moor Park, and were proud to shine a light on this fantastic city.” Hatch, a global consultancy specializing in economic development and social impact assessment, carried out the economic analysis of the event. Tim Fanning, a director at Hatch, commented: “Our analysis shows that Radio 2 in the Park has provided a large economic boost to the city of Preston – boosting spending by up to 5% over the September weekend. “Moreover, it has generated a significant profile for the city, which has knock-on benefits for the visitor economy.” Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.