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Cheltenham Festivals

One organisation, four extraordinary festivals

Like many cultural organisations, Cheltenham Festivals is a not-for-profit organisation registered both as a charity and as a company limited by guarantee. It is responsible for the annual Cheltenham Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals. It also runs extensive education and outreach programmes, many to local schools and communities.

Since the launch of the Music Festival in 1945, Literature Festival in 1949, the Jazz Festival in 1996 and Science Festival in 2002, their development continues to rely heavily on the generosity of donations, grants, and sponsorship.

In 2006 the four festivals started to work more closely together under the umbrella brand of Cheltenham Festivals and Donna Renney was appointed as the first Chief Executive of the new organisation. The anvil-shaped marque of the organisation embodies both the tradition of the festivals which stretches back over 60 years with the point of the anvil symbolising the festivals’ desire to challenge perceptions and produce programmes with ‘edge’ and ‘bite’.

Today, Cheltenham Festivals is one of the leading cultural organisations in the country with the four festivals boasting combined ticket sales of over 150,000 and enjoying enviable international reputations as leaders in their own fields.

Each festival features the most up-and-coming, controversial and entertaining performers, showcasing new works, young artists and unique performances, ensuring Cheltenham an exceptionally high profile with audiences and performers around the world.

Cheltenham Festivals generate £5.2 million to local economy plus 139 jobs

Following record breaking sales and attendance figures at all four festivals this year, an independent study we commissioned suggests that Cheltenham Festivals generated more than £5.2 million worth of business for the local Cheltenham economy, supported around 139 jobs and according to one local audience member “It’s (Festivals) what makes living in Cheltenham worthwhile’.

The economic impact of the four Festivals in the town has increased by nearly 200% since 2002, rising to £5 m of primary and secondary spending from £1.8 m in 2002. Now each day the arts and science festivals run, they contribute around £150,000 to the town’s economy with each attendee spending on average £61.33. Almost three-quarters of local businesses rated Cheltenham Festivals as important to the town, and having a positive impact on their business. During the recent The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 20% of businesses commented that they saw turnover rise by more than 10%, and 12% employed additional staff.

Cheltenham Festivals Annual Review 2009

Previous Cheltenham Festivals Annual Reviews

Cheltenham Festivals Impact summary 2010 — Key Facts

• Cheltenham Festivals is a not-for-profit organisation registered both as a charity and as a company limited by guarantee. It is responsible for the annual Cheltenham Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals. It also runs extensive education and outreach programmes, many to local schools and communities.
• Cheltenham Festivals achieved record breaking sales and audiences in 2010 with Box office revenues reaching £1.49million, 14% up on 2009.Ticket sales were a record breaking 173,353 across all events.
• It is estimated that the four Festivals generated approx £5.2 million worth of business in the local economy this year.
• It is estimated that the 4 festivals support approx 139 jobs in the local economy.
• Each festival day contributes an average of £150,000 to the local economy. Each person attending Cheltenham Festivals spent on average £61.33.
• Almost ¾ of local businesses rate Cheltenham Festivals as important to Cheltenham.
• Almost 50% of local businesses recognised that the Festivals had a positive impact on their business. 20% of businesses during The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival saw turnover increase by more than 10% during the period and 12% employed additional staff.
• More than 40% of people who attend come from outside the county. 82% of people questioned said that coming to Cheltenham for a Festival had encouraged them to make a return visit to Cheltenham. Of the 58% who are residents of Gloucestershire, over a third live within Cheltenham Borough.
• Media coverage generated by the 4 Festivals is significant in promoting a positive cultural message about Cheltenham in both the UK and overseas. In addition to the substantial media coverage generated by sponsors such as The Times and the BBC, print media coverage is worth around £2.5 million nationally, at today’s advertising rates In addition, BBC Radios 2 and 3, and BBC Radio Gloucestershire, broadcast events and sent the same positive cultural messages about Cheltenham to around 36 million listeners during the year.
• Inward sponsorship, grants and support from Trusts to the Festivals accounts for £1.2 million and Cheltenham Borough Council currently offers support through a core grant of £109,000 plus approx £192,000 of in kind support.

Greenshoots

A more sustainable Cheltenham Festivals Greenshoots is our project to create a more sustainable Cheltenham Festivals. We want to reduce our environmental impact, research and adopt best practices, work with our partners and share our ideas as we embark on our journey towards greater sustainability. More about Greenshoots.