Manchester International Festival boosted economy by £38m

THIS year’s Manchester International Festival, whose highlights included Sir Kenneth Branagh appearing in Macbeth staged in a former church, has been hailed as the most successful year.

As well as delivering an economic benefit to the city region of £38m, according to independent analysis by research group Morris Hargreaves McIntyre, MIF required a lower amount of public funding, and also grew attendances by around 3.5% to nearly 250,000.

A report to Manchester City Council later this month will say that the Festival surpassed its objectives this year, in terms of growing its international reputation, engaging with more people and growing private sector sponsorship.

The council executive will be asked to approve revenue support of £2m for MIF 2015, with a further £500,000 underwritten subject to continuing support from other public sector partners, notably Arts Council England.

This uear’s event generated regional, national and international media coverage of an equivalent advertising value, excluding online coverage, of £26m.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This independent evaluation shows that MIF2013 has been a resounding success, building on the achievements of its predecessors and performing remarkably well.

“It is clear that MIF has established itself as one of the ingredients of what makes Manchester a world-class city, delivering significant economic, community and cultural benefits. The Festival has established itself as an inspiring event, of which any city would be proud, and we eagerly await its return.”