Looe Music Festival boosts local economy

In only its second year Looe Music Festival 2012 issued five thousand tickets. 87 percent were bought by people outside South East Cornwall. For the majority it was their first visit to the town.
Looe Music Festival targeted a national audience of 35-55 year olds, ensuring a diverse but family-friendly atmosphere. The aim for all those involved is to encourage as many festivalgoers as possible to return to Looe.
Like many Cornish fishing communities Looe now relies heavily on tourism to maintain its economy. An estimated £1.35 million was spent by visitors to Looe Music Festival 2012 who were encouraged to spend their money in local businesses. A significant boost in a normally quiet weekend at the end of September.
Despite the rain, 80 bands performed over three days and three stages, providing the audience with a wide range of music including headline sets from The Stranglers and Levellers.
Looe Music Festival is a not-for-profit event and will never become a sprawling, commercial venture. However the organisers hope to steadily build on its intimate appeal and put Looe back on the map as a must-see destination in Cornwall.