ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT CONCLUDES THAT NET ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACT VISITOR SPEND AS A RESULT OF FESTIVAL ALMOST £10M

 

The Economic Impact Report undertaken by MKA Economics for Fringe By The Sea 2024 has concluded that the net additional economic impact of visitor spend as a result of the festival is in the region of £9,923,100.  This is a 36% increase on the 2023 figure.

The 17^th Fringe by the Sea was held in North Berwick between the 2^nd and 11^th August 2024, attracting a total number of 86,130, 15% up on the 2023 level (74,750 visitors).  The event has grown year on year since it started in 2008.

2024 can be seen to have been another success in attracting a significant number of people from outside East Lothian, 44% were from outside the area compared to 38% in 2023. There were more people from elsewhere in Edinburgh and Scotland, the UK and overseas. The event continues to bring more people into North Berwick and East Lothian each year, and acts as an important draw for bringing people into Scotland.

In order to ascertain the role of Fringe by the Sea in attracting visitors to North Berwick in 2024, non-local survey respondents were asked about their motivation in visiting the area. 38% (37% in 2023) of respondents noted that Fringe by the Sea was ‘only reason’ they were visiting North Berwick.  Although many of the festival goers from outside the area travelled by car (48%) this was down from 50% in 2023; public transport to North Berwick is good with both the festival putting on extra late night buses and ScotRail providing extra late night trains during the 10 days of the festival.

Fringe By The Sea prides itself in being one of the greenest festivals in Scotland with 99+% of the rubbish generated went on to have another life through recycling, composting or creating energy from waste.   Non-travel CO2 emissions have been reduced by around two thirds thanksto a grant from Tyne & Esk Rural Development fund enabling us to use HVO fuel and battery packs to power the site. With almost 9 out of ten of respondents noted that it was important that it continues to be planned in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Feedback is always important for event organisers and some of the many comments collated are “All the sessions I attended were excellent. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful. North Berwick is a lovely place”, “All the sessions I attended were excellent. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful. North Berwick is a lovely place”, “I attend every year and never fail to love the vibrant and bustling scene with fantastic entertainment”, “excellent day out with our family – son, daughter in law and grandchildren” and “It is a great way of seeing shows and musical acts without the huge crowds in Edinburgh”.

Director of Fringe By The Sea, Rory Steel, says “This report has blown us away – we know that our festival is enjoyed by so many of the residents of North Berwick and East Lothian but to see that we are attracting so many people to the town is fantastic.  It is a year round job organising all the events and can only be done with our great team and all the wonderful volunteers.  In a time of uncertainty for so many in the arts, this report shows that live events give back to the economy so much more than they take in public funding, as well as the unquantifiable enjoyment to the public. I can only ask that the Scottish Government and funding bodies continue to ensure that these grants continue to exist.”

 

For further information contact

Fiona Duff – 07710 419762

Fiona@duffpublicity.com