£195,000 earmarked for nine major events

NINE big-name events are set to return to the region again next year – with Dumfries and Galloway Council spending big to help make them a success.

The local authority is proposing to hand over a total of £195,000 because the events attract many visitors to the region and generate millions for the local economy, writes Marc McLean.

Next week, councillors will be asked to rubber stamp the financial backing of:

Kirkcudbright Galleries exhibitions – £26,000;

Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival – £22,000;

Spring Fling – £26,000;

Stranraer Oyster Festival – £26,000;

Wigtown Book Festival – £30,000;

World Ice Hockey Championships – £22,000;

Scottish Rally – £26,000;

Big Burns Supper – amount tbc

A report on the matter reads: “Long running economic analysis indicates that the Wigtown Book Festival, Spring Fling, the Stranraer Oyster Festival and the Kirkcudbright Galleries exhibition programme secure the highest visitor numbers to their events with an associated economic impact.

“This financial boost to the regional economy is monitored and provides a minimum impact of £1 million per event per annum. In the case of the Wigtown Book Festival, the annual economic impact exceeds £3 million per annum.

“World Championship Ice Hockey, the Scottish Rally, Big Burns Supper and the Arts Festival are equally successful events, that create significant economic, sporting and cultural impacts and long-term legacies for our region.

“Their economic impacts are predominantly in the spectrum of £250,000 to £500,000 per annum.”

A balance of £28,000 remains for funding signature events next year. This has been earmarked for Big Burns Supper in Dumfries, however the details have still to be finalised.