Darlington’s recent events have drawn thousands of visitors, boosting local businesses and community spirit. The council’s efforts are paying off with increased foot traffic.
Darlington: The town is buzzing with excitement after recent events attracted thousands of visitors. The local council has been working hard to make this happen.
They’ve teamed up with independent businesses to create fun events and family trails. The winter Ice Sculpture event is a favorite, and last summer’s Dinosaur Day brought in nearly 15,000 extra visitors.
Footfall figures show that more people visited the town from August to December 2024 compared to the same time in 2023. This was shared with councillors in a recent meeting.
Alex Nicholson, the Town Centre Partnership and Events Manager, mentioned that they’re always looking for new ways to attract visitors of all ages. They listen to local businesses to improve their events.
For example, they added family trails for Chinese New Year, which were well-received. A coin trail linked to the celebrations brought in new customers for local shops.
Councillor James McGill asked if the increased foot traffic was spread throughout the town. Alex explained that while many events are near the Market Square, some are placed around the town to draw people in.
She noted that organizing these events can be costly, but they aim to support local businesses and create a welcoming atmosphere in Darlington.
Councillor Chris McEwan emphasized the importance of the events program in attracting repeat visitors. He believes they need to be creative to keep the momentum going.
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