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Jazz Festival is music to commercial ears |
Retailers and businesses in Newark say they expect to hear the best sound of all during the forthcoming Jazz Festival – the sound of tills ringing.
The Festival is proving to be great for business, with many retailers, restaurants and pubs reporting record takings during the previous two Newark Jazz Festival weekends.
Newark Jazz Festival was started by members of Newark Business Club to
attract visitors to the market town, and to generate an increase in
trade from the surrounding region. It also aimed to create partnerships
with councils, music bodies, youth groups, schools and arts
organisations and so raise Newark’s profile as a successful and
thriving community.
Around 9,000 people watched performances last year and that figure is
expected to rise to 10,000 in May 2008 as enquiries have already begun
to flood in from jazz fans wanting to book tickets for key events.
Strays Book and Coffee Shop on Boar Lane, Newark, chose to be lead
Festival sponsors following blockbusting sales during the previous two
Festivals. The rewards continued beyond the special weekend and the
company are now expanding their premises to create the town’s first
Jazz Cafe – Jazz Caffeine.
Owner Mat Short said: “We have seen a significant rise in sales year on year after each Jazz Festival.
“During the 2006 Festival we saw an increase in normal figures of
around 50% each day and this never really dropped back down. In 2007 we
saw another increase on the Festival Saturday of around 40% and the
Sunday around 90%. The increase in trade has stayed with us an enable
us to forge ahead with our expansion plans.”
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John Marshall, Natwest Newark commercial manager said: “The Jazz
Festival brings a real excitement to our town which is felt well beyond
the actual weekend events. The influx of visitors helps generate trade
for many businesses particularly in the retail sector which at this
time is very welcome. It also offers other businesses an opportunity to
celebrate with staff and customers in a wonderful environment. Having
both heard about and witnessed the event in previous years Natwest is
delighted to be involved with the Festival for the first time this
year.”
Debbie Read, director of Arts & Business East Midlands said:
“Businesses are the first to benefit from a creative, diverse and
ambitious local community, and events like the Newark Jazz Festival
show just how important culture is to the local economy. Sponsorship
relationships like the partnership between the Jazz Festival and local
businesses demonstrate that, with a bit of imagination, companies can
meet their own business objectives whilst also contributing to the
artistic and cultural life of the local community. Everyone’s a
winner!”
Newark Jazz Festival runs from 16 – 18 May 2008 with 70 performances at
30 venues including pubs, cafes, restaurants and retail outlets. Entry
to most events is free of charge. More information and tickets from
www.newarkjazz.co.uk.
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