Edinburgh’s ‘cracked it’ – thanks to a massive nest egg from this year’s Easter Festival.

Official figures, out today, show that the new event, which took the city by storm, proved to be a big boon to businesses across the capital.

The event, which was free to the public – and which did not receive a penny from the public purse – broke new ground for entertainment events in the city.

The Economic Impact Study conducted by SQW Ltd. for Edinburgh City Council and Scottish Enterprise, shows that the city made an egg-straodinary £4.m from the fabulous fiesta.

And organisers have pledged to extend the Easter Festival from next year – making it a full five days instead of just three.

The big winners were the accommodation sector, which scooped £1.4m, and retailers that netted £800,000.

Councillor Ian Perry, Executive Member for Social Inclusion and Economic Development, the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “Edinburgh’s Easter Festival 2003 was a lively and exciting event, contributing a great deal to Edinburgh’s cultural tourism calendar and the local economy.

“The support of local residents and businesses undoubtedly added to the event’s success, with the majority of visitors coming from the local area and one fifth from overseas. We’re looking forward to next year’s event to build on this success.”

More than 4,000 performers from numerous nations drew large crowds to various events throughout the city.  Around 40,000 spectators attended three set-piece events in the city centre.

Festival Director, Bob Bone, pledged to make the event even bigger and better in 2004.

“We got off to a cracking start in 2003 – and next year will be better still,” said Bob, “There will be events right through the Easter Period.

“We knew that the event had been well received by the public and I am delighted to say that international performers are queuing up to come in the years to come.

“It is great to know for certain that the city hit the financial jackpot in such a spectacular way.

“It is wonderful that The Edinburgh Easter Festival was such a commercial success for the city – but we should not lose sight of the fact that tens of thousands enjoyed a spectacular event – which might have normally cost them significant amounts of money.”

The study also showed that The Edinburgh Easter Festival is likely to boost visitor numbers for years to come – with no less than 87% of respondents from outside Scotland saying that they are ‘much more likely to visit again’.

Next year’s Easter Festival will run from Thursday April 8th – Monday April 12th.

For Further Information Call:
Dan Kirkby 020-7580 3232