Arctic Monkeys show hands Middlesbrough £1m visitor boost

F

fmttmadmin

Administrator
Staff member
The Arctic Monkeys gig at the Riverside Stadium boosted Middlesbrough’s economy by almost £1m, analysis shows.

The Sheffield band wowed 32,000 fans on June 5 and new visitor numbers have revealed the huge impact the event had on Middlesbrough town centre.
Restaurants, bars and hotels all enjoyed a bumper night as music fans travelled from around the region.

Data analysed by Middlesbrough Council shows the event drew in the highest number of visitors to the town centre for a Monday since local records began.

The Arctic Monkeys gig at the Riverside Stadium boosted Middlesbrough’s economy by almost £1m, analysis shows.

The Sheffield band wowed 32,000 fans on June 5 and new visitor number shave revealed the huge impact the event had on Middlesbrough town centre.

Restaurants, bars and hotels all enjoyed a bumper night as music fans travelled from around the region.

Data analysed by Middlesbrough Council shows the event drew in the highest number of visitors to the town centre for a Monday since local records began.

The Council worked alongside Tees Valley Combined Authority to provide assistance to promoters SJM and the football club in the build-up to the gig.

Cllr Theo Furness, Executive member for Regeneration at Middlesbrough Council, said: “These figures show just how important it is that Middlesbrough hosts these huge events.

“Massive credit has to go to the football club for once again attracting a major name to our town. I was at The Killers last year and would have been at the Arctic Monkeys too, but I was away for a family wedding.

“The visitor numbers and associated spend help our businesses succeed and puts money into the pockets of local families.”

Daniel Stanwick, Director of Hit the Bar Ltd said: “Concerts like this provide a massive boost for businesses like ours as it draws large crowds to the town and this one was no exception.

“With everyone in high spirits there was a great atmosphere all day as we opened the venue both before and after the gig.

“We had plenty of regulars coming down along with many more visiting from out of the area so they’re ideal opportunities to showcase what we are all about.”

Arctic Monkeys followed The Killers in 2022 and Take That in 2019 in taking to the Riverside stage.

Middlesbrough Football Club’s Head of Business Operations and Community Helena Bowman said: "We are delighted to hear that the concert has generated such a boost for the local economy. As a club, it’s important to us to provide events for the Tees Valley community which go above and beyond football.

“We look forward to working in partnership with TVCA and Middlesbrough Council on bringing future events to our area.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: ““The Arctic Monkeys concert is yet another great example of how we are now bringing the biggest and best artists to our area.

"As well as a great night for music lovers, events such as this have a fantastic effect on the local economy, boosting superb businesses such as bars, restaurants and hotels.

“It also brings in huge numbers of visitors and showcases what Middlesbrough and the rest of Tees Valley has to offer. We are now working hard to deliver more great concerts and major events in the future.”

The Arctic Monkeys show came at the start of a busy month of music in Middlesbrough.

Madness and a host of other cult 80s bands played to huge crowds across two days in Albert Park. And last week thriving Australian indie band DMA’s played to an ecstatic crowd at the Empire.
 
Given the way that the Piece Hall in Halifax sets up for a duration of the summer to have a run of gigs on you'd think that it would make sense to put a number of gigs on once everything is set up and in place.

Really good for the area and they seem to have been successful so far so they are clearly doing something right in the way they are running them
 
One thing it highlighted for me: the need for more B&B and Hotel Accommodation in the area - accessible by public transport.
Its always a struggle to find somewhere [for instance-for a night match].
 
Middlesbrough is actually quite well suited to events like this is the early Summer - with an available 32,000 stadium with lots of outdoor space around the stadium and relatively good road access (A19/A1/A66, quiet minor roads) and rail access. If it rains its not a bog outside the stadium. Many stadiums are squashed into their sites e.g Ashton Gate, with poorer access
 
Redwurzel said:
Middlesbrough is actually quite well suited to events like this is the early Summer - with an available 32,000 stadium with lots of outdoor space around the stadium and relatively good road access (A19/A1/A66, quiet minor roads) and rail access. If it rains its not a bog outside the stadium. Many stadiums are squashed into their sites e.g Ashton Gate, with poorer access
Click to expand...
As @r00fie1 points out, decent hotel accommodation is lacking sadly. Within reasonable walking distance of the stadium there's not a great deal to be honest.
 
Easterside_Red said:
As @r00fie1 points out, decent hotel accommodation is lacking sadly. Within reasonable walking distance of the stadium there's not a great deal to be honest.
Click to expand...
There is a shortage right across Teesside. The only good thing is Leonardo's (Jurys Inn), Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Travelodge all 15-20 mins walk from stadium.
 
fmttmadmin said:
There is a shortage right across Teesside. The only good thing is Leonardo's (Jurys Inn), Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Travelodge all 15-20 mins walk from stadium.
Click to expand...
I'm sure there's a decent one in Stockton too. The existence of that particular facility has come under much attack from the local Tories.
 
fmttmadmin said:
The STEAM model, used by tourism bodies around the country, was used to
calculate the estimate.
Around 32,000 tickets were sold for the event and the STEAM model
estimates that visitors spend an average of £30.58 on events in
Middlesbrough.
Click to expand...
But how much went into local pockets, not the coffers of pub companies, chain owned hotels etc?

How much of it stayed on Teesside?
 
OK hotel accommodation is not great, certainly within walking distance.

If you have a car say drive up from Sheffield area to see a band at the Riverside - plenty of good value accommodation within 10 miles of the Riverside

£95 for 3 adults in this 2 bed cottage in Guisborough first Saturday in June for one night.

Walk and drive from stadium is around 55 minutes

www.booking.com

Stoney Nook Cottage, Guisborough, UK

Stoney Nook Cottage is set in Guisborough, 13 km from Middlesbrough Cathedral, 36 km from Whitby Abbey, and 47 km from Helmsley Castle.
www.booking.com www.booking.com

Not my cottage btw

Next day trip to over the moors say to Whitby or steam railway at Grosmont. Then in evening back to Sheffield.

Two day holiday accommodation, concert tickets, travel etc - £400 for 3 adults.

Alternatively there are 2 milllion people within one hours drive of Middlesbrough?
 
Last edited:
fmttmadmin said:
There is a shortage right across Teesside. The only good thing is Leonardo's (Jurys Inn), Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Travelodge all 15-20 mins walk from stadium.
Click to expand...
Surely unless this becomes a more regular occurrence then the ones you have stated is enough for the town of its size. You can't just build hotels and b&bs for a few events each year.

As said above could we not fit more events this size into the riverside pre season. I understand its probably a massive thing to arrange.

I suppose we did also have madness, any idea what money that brought in to the area rob?
 
I woud have thought the Club received some big rents - circa £400,000 from the promoters and the stall holders.
 
I dont think the club actually make much money from these gigs with all the costs that go into it, but they are hoping they can get 2 gigs per year which will allow them to make some profit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top