Concert Boosts County Coffers

To the thousands who turned out despite the wind and rain to enjoy a sensational performance from the legend that is Lionel Richie, it was easy to hail Eirias Stadium’s latest summer concert a success, but staging such a major event has many other benefits. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Beyond ticket sales, Colwyn Bay and the wider Conwy County area receives a much welcome boost to the economy through many avenues. Obviously on concert day, transport providers and eating out and drinking establishments do very well. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

But many other businesses see a benefit too. This year Llew Jones and Alpine Coaches provided the park and ride service, Ekult the traffic management signage and Security Company CSM were contracted to steward pedestrians and traffic at the venue. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Bay View Shopping Centre, Ysgol Bryn Elian and Workpanel welcomed income from providing car parks at the mall in the town centre, at the high school and at Bryn and Plas Eirias buildings opposite Eirias Stadium on Abergele Road. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ysgol Bod Alaw and Colwyn Bay Football Club both received donations for use of their facilities to land helicopters associated with the event and one business in Colwyn Bay reported their highest sales all year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Graham Rees, Conwy County Borough Councils Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing & Leisure said “For every £1 we spend on events, we have a return on investment of £32 making them crucial to our economy in supporting our many small businesses” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Colwyn Bay business owner John Jones from Powlsons has held the Print Contract with Promoter Orchard since 2012. He said “Events are of great benefit to the local economy. They help sustain my business and secure local jobs, long may our relationship continue” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Many charities received vital funds by being part of the event including car park income, collecting at the gates and an auction and raffle held in the hospitality marquee. Local charities Ty Gobaith and North Wales Mountain Rescue as well as Marie Curie Cancer Care had a share of over £4,000. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Bay of Colwyn Town Council have been a financial sponsor of the event since its formation in 2012. Councillor John Davies, Mayor of Colwyn Bay said “We welcome events to Colwyn Bay big and small. They provide local people with entertainment, but in their execution, they boost business and put us on the map” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​