A FOOD festival has boosted a local economy by nearly £2million, according to new figures.

The 2022 Taste Cumbria festival brought  £1,942,947 into the town according to independent auditors Oxenholme-based Red Research.

The study was conducted over the event weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday September 25 2022.

The total economic impact is measured at £1,942,947, a return on investment of £37.36 for every pound invested in the event.

In addition, people loved the event, with 99 per cent of the estimated 25,000 visitors saying the festival was good or very good.

On top of that, 86 per cent of those interviewed had come from outside the town and had travelled to Cockermouth for the festival.

People were asked if they would be doing anything else apart from visiting the festival and 78 per cent said they would be going for a meal or a drink, while 42 per cent were going shopping, which all generated additional spending.

The Taste Cumbria events are organised by Allerdale council and Council  Leader Mike Johnson said: “This economic boost is fabulous news for the county and is one of the reasons why we are so dedicated to bringing the Taste Cumbria food festivals back every year.

“If you add in the almost £1million generated by this year’s Taste of the Sea festival in Maryport and the £175,000 from the Wigton event, that is a huge bonus for local businesses – particularly after a very tough couple of years.

“The comments have been fabulous too.

"Visitors said it was like being on holiday as they browsed the stalls in the producers’ market, as well as those staged by Cockermouth businesses, and locals said it was brilliant to see their town so busy.

“I want to see these festivals get even bigger and better. They really put Allerdale on the map.” 

The 2022 Taste Cumbria festival in Cockermouth was supported by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, Tractor Shed Brewing, The Trout Hotel, The Vicky Shared Workspace, Peter Sidwell’s Kitchen, Cockermouth Cricket Club, Tithe Tap, Rock With and Newsquest Cumbria.