Businesses in Kirkby Town Centre have enjoyed a surge in footfall over recent weeks thanks to the Summer of Family Fun.
The programme of free family-friendly events has helped drive significant visitor numbers during the summer holidays.
The Kirkby Neighbourhood Board has invested £60,000 (from the Government’s Pride in Place funding) to develop an exciting and engaging events programme in the town.
From football-themed fun, carnival and circus performers to superhero and movie characters, live entertainment and interactive workshops, the Summer of Fun has been serving up family-friendly activities throughout the summer holidays.
Events such as the Circus Spectacular and the fan-fest of popular characters have helped to attract hundreds more to the town centre than a typical Saturday. Event days have produced a 13% increase in footfall compared to Saturdays without events during the summer.
From the end of June to mid-August there was an increase in footfall of 17,678 in the town centre compared to the same period last year.
Michael McIver, Travel Advisor at Perfect Getaways on St Chad’s Parade, said: “Summer is not usually a peak season for us because people tend to already be on their holidays but this year we’ve been attracting so many people into the town centre.
“It’s the family days, they’ve been absolutely brilliant in introducing people to the town centre and highlighting the businesses that are here. People have been making a lot of bookings and it’s not just your typical “bucket and spade” holidays, it’s been high-end bookings like cruises and India tours.
“The family days have created a brilliant atmosphere in the town centre. You can see the investment that has gone into it with the quality of the costumes and everything. It’s attracted so many families.
“I don’t know if many town centres do this sort of thing anymore but it just brings everyone together. The Christmas lights switch on is the same, it attracts so many people.”
Sam Clair, Owner of Made to be Mum on St Chad’s Parade, said: “The town centre events have noticeably increased the footfall and brought so much energy to the town centre. It’s lovely to see.
“People have been popping in on event days and that has helped with the visibility of my business. One woman called in to say she had no idea we were here and she stopped for a cup of tea.
“The whole summer of events has been great. I think the circus one in particular was fantastic. Kids will remember seeing stuff like that and I think it’s lovely that people can access free events.
“It feels like the whole community has got behind it.”
There’s still more to look forward to for the last weekend of the Summer of Family Fun programme, with Marvellous Markets taking place on Saturday 29 August. Find out more here.
Max Steinberg CBE DL, Chair of the Kirkby Neighbourhood Board, said: “We know that local people want a vibrant town centre and things to do and our events plan is one of the ways we are supporting this.
“The fantastic programme of activities in our town centres over the summer has created a really lively atmosphere and we’ve been delighted to welcome so many visitors to our town centres.”