EventCity forecasts record year
PEEL’s EventCity venue has had its best-ever half year, and is forecasting a 30% hike in visitor numbers for the full year.
The giant space, which is next to the Trafford Centre, said hosting major events like the X-Factor auditions and the Ideal Home Show had brought in 217,000 visitors during the first half.
More than 15,000 wannabees and their supporters attended the X Factor auditions, while in June, the 37,000 visitors flocked to Ideal Home exhibition.
Bosses believe with a strong pipeline of events in the second half, including hosting a large scale networking conference, an utilities conference with more than 3,000 delegates, Play Expo and Winter Wonderland in December, annual total visitor numbers will hit 598,000 which will be a 32% increase on last year.
The venue said independent research carried out by AMION Consulting, had found that EventCity generates a further £11.9m in visitor spend each year in nearby hotels, shops and other attractions.
Managing director Andy Orr said: “We’ve had an incredible first six months of the year and to be able to see the measure of our success fiscally is very rewarding.
“It’s not just about numbers through doors but creating real tangible benefits to the local economy through the people we employ directly and indirectly.”
The research also revealed that as well as directly employing 212 people, it further supports 324 full time jobs off site within a range of service industries generating £16.6m GVA into Manchester’s economy each year.
