Creamfields gave town
a ?5.4 million boost
by David Skentelbery
THE controversial Creamfields pop festival at Daresbury near Warrington generated a massive ?5.4 million bonus for the area’s visitor economy, it has been claimed.
Total visitor spend was ?6.7 million and approximately 80 per cent of that spend remained within Cheshire, according to tourism agency Visit Chester and Cheshire.
It was the first time the event had been held in Cheshire and the total spend, excluding the cost of tickets, represented a 94 per cent increase on the income generated from the 2004 Creamfields event at Speke in Liverpool.
Visit Chester and Cheshire chief executive Chris Brown said: “I’m delighted the event was such a popular success and it clearly shows the benefit of hosting such events in Cheshire.
“These figures are good news for our visitor economy. The event has brought us a significant number of new visitors from outside our area. We need to work together to build on this success and create new opportunities to attract even more people to these and other events in the future, and encourage them to stay longer.”
The figures will surprise many people in the Warrington area and believe the festival brought little to the borough other than noise, traffic jams, litter and unruly teenagers.
Nearby residents are already campaigning to try and stop the festival being held at Daresbury again.
But according to a survey commissioned by Visit Chester and Cheshire, visitors from outside the Chester-Cheshire region – some from as far away as New York – spent ?6.25 million, an average of ?165 per visitor, on items such as food and drink, entertainment and transport, according to a survey commissioned by the agency.
In addition, 3,600 Creamfields visitors stayed a total of 8,892 nights in Cheshire or Warrington, contributing around ?750,000 of the total revenue.
Cream group chief executive James Barton said: “These figures back up what we always promised about Creamfields. We knew that it would be of huge economic benefit to the area.
“It is a major event for Cheshire now, not only in the music calendar but also as a showcase for the region, and we want it to stay that way at its new home in Daresbury.”
Visitor satisfaction ratings for the event were high with an average score of 4.2 out of five; 66 per cent said they would definitely come to future festivals.
Chairman of Warrington Hoteliers Association Rob Abson said: “We would welcome any new events that bring people and income into the area on quiet bank holidays when staff might otherwise be laid off.
“Creamfields itself has tremendous potential as a new source of business for our members. Our challenge now is to work together to ensure that we’re in a position to make the most of the opportunities. Creamfields brings with it much needed income to the hotels and the area in what would be a quiet time on a bank holiday and thus helps with the employment of staff over this period, who may well be laid off.”
Warrington Borough Council head of Economic Development Carsten Kressel added: “These are significant figures and a welcome boost to the local economy.”
?6.8 million needed
to renovate Parr Hall
by John Hendon
THE cost of bringing Warrington?s 109-year-old Parr Hall up to present day standards is estimated at ?6.8 million.
This is the conclusion of a feasibility study, commissioned by the borough council earlier this year, in the light of the deteriorating condition of the town?s main concert venue.
Now the council is to seek partners to jointly look at how renovation of the hall could be funded.
In recent years, the hall has suffered as a result of its out-dated facilities. Some big name artists have stayed away from Warrington rather then appear there and some local amateur groups ? including the award-winning Centenary Theatre Company ? have moved out of town to stage their shows at Runcorn?s Brindley Theatre.
Consultation has been carried out with local audiences, voluntary groups and arts professionals.
The feasibility study has identified a need for improved seating, new changing rooms, staging and lighting, technical and electrical facilities. It has also put forward ideas for a new two-storey entrance hall and a separate bar and catering area.
A recommendation is to go to the council?s executive board urging that the council actively seek partners to jointly look at funding the proposals to provide a modern 21st century entertainment venue in Warrington.
Looking for
Borat lookalikes!
by Terry Johnson
THE Odeon Cinema in Warrington is looking for “Borat” lookalikes to mark the opening of the controversial movie starring Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen.
Warrington-Worldwide readers are invited to send in pictures and videos of themselves looking and acting like Borat to [email protected].
The winner of what is deemed the funniest picture/video will receive two free tickets for the opening night of the film (November 3).
To add to the occasion the Odeon staff will all be wearing Big Borat style wigs and moustaches.
One member of the team, Anthony Hammill, is already on public display!
The movie has an 18 rating so entrants must be 18 or over.
Flu vaccine is now
arriving at local GPs
by Terry Johnson
THIS winter?s flu vaccine is now being received by Warrington GP practices…. and it could prove a lifesaver for people in special ?at risk? groups.
Medics say 5,000 lives are saved every year by flu-jabs, as the infection can lead to severe conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia.
Deliveries of flu-jabs have been delayed by international vaccine manufacturers having difficulty in growing one of the virus strains.
Kerry Broadhead, of Warrington Primary Care Trust, said: “A number of local GP practices have now received their first deliveries of flu vaccine. They will continue to receive further supplies over the next two months.
“GP’s order their vaccine from different manufacturers”.
Anyone aged 65 and over or who has lung, heart, kidney or liver problems, diabetes mellitus, a lowered immunity, other serious medical condition or who lives in a nursing, residential or long-stay home, are eligible for the vaccine.
Flu vaccines are ‘dead’ vaccines: they do not contain a live virus which could prompt the body to develop flu symptoms. Instead, they create antibodies that protect and strengthen the body’s ability to fight off an invading virus.
Flu starts suddenly, bringing high fever, headache, aching muscles, sore throat, cough and extreme fatigue. Colds start gradually with a sore throat and stuffy nose.
Council still unhappy
over mental health care
by David Skentelbery
COUNCILLORS are still unhappy about proposals to change mental health care provision in Warrington ? despite concessions already made by health chiefs.
Further talks need to take place between the borough council, the Primary Care Trust and the 5 Boroughs Partnership Trust.
The council?s executive board will be recommended to seek further discussion on proposals to close up to half the in-patient beds at Hollins Park hospital, Winwick.
The 5 Boroughs Trust ? which is responsible for mental health care in Warrington – put forward controversial proposals to reduce the number of in-patient beds in the town some time ago.
This caused an outcry from a number of community organisations ? and the borough council also expressed concern.
As a result, the Trust has agreed to develop resource and recovery services for community based patients within the town centre from April next year, including an improved access and advice service.
They have also agreed to develop these services in close partnership with the council?s own mental health services and to base them in the town centre ? including the continued use of the Gateho
use on the Warrington Hospital site.
Coun Roy Smith, executive member for community services said: ?I welcome this positive response. However, major concerns remains, including whether the PCT can continue to fund mental health services, especially for older people, at the present level.
?Any reduction in NHS funding will put these proposals at risk and will also jeopardise the ability of the council?s own mental health services to support people safely in the community. Getting this reorganisation right is vital for the many people who use mental health services across Warrington.
The council?s executive board will be consider further work that needs to be undertaken to ensure the mental health services provided by the Trust continue to fit in with those provided by the council, which provide the majority of community services to adult and older people with mental health needs ? and which have recently been rated ?excellent? by the Commission for Social Care.
Top flower experts
to bring colour
by Terry Johnson
THREE of the UK’s top flower demonstrators will bring a riot of festive colour to historic Arley Hall, near Warrington.
Derek Armstrong, Neil Whittaker and Carl Wilde will put their inspirational stamps on Arley’s Christmas Floral Extravaganza, from December 2-10.
There are limited tickets to a special preview evening on December 1(advance booking), with a tour of the state rooms and glass of wine.
Neil Whittaker will host a ?Christmas by Design? event on Dec. 3 and Carl Wilde will give an evening demonstration on Dec 7.
Special events include musical soiree, candlelight and carols.
