Blackpool scores £10m coup from pigeon fanciers
PIGEON fanciers spent £10m in Blackpool at the industry’s biggest show, according to VisitBlackpool.
The toursit authority said the local economy had received a £10m boost by hosting the 40th annual British Homing World Show of the Year at its Winter Gardens complex last week.
The show, which is organised by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, is the biggest of its kind in the world, attracting 25,000 enthusiasts who came to see around 1,000 fancy show pigeons and 3,000 racing pigeons. The pedigree racing birds can change hands for up to £100,000.
Mandy Tythe-McCallum, business tourism manager at visitBlackpool, said: “The British Homing World Show of the Year is the biggest racing pigeon event in the world. Each year the event brings together thousands of old friends, at what is also the biggest social event in the pigeon fancier’s diary.
“The pigeons are a welcome sight in Blackpool, as the event means a lot to local businesses here, providing a welcome boost for tourism as B&Bs and hotels across the resort fill up for the weekend.
“This is the 35th time the event has taken place in Blackpool since it started 40 years ago. It’s now part of our heritage, and we look forward to welcoming our feathered friends back to Blackpool for the event in the years to come.”
