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Employment, learning and skillsLaughing all the way to the bank
16/12/2005
The longest running comedy festival in the UK aims to help boost the Leicester economy in the New Year.
Roseanne Barr has chosen Leicester as her only UK tour venue
Leicester Comedy Festival takes place every February and is backed by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda). With high profile performers including Roseanne Barr topping the bill at the 2006 Festival a record 50,000 people are expected to buy tickets to over 230 events at 50 venues in the city.
The Festival attracts audiences from across the UK and abroad. This year around 40% of all tickets sales so far have been made from people outside Leicestershire, indicating that the Festival is encouraging tourism into the area.
Sue Kirby, emda Director of Policy and Communications said: “We are delighted to support Leicester Comedy Festival which is a showpiece event in the Creative Industries calendar. For every £1 that is spent on a ticket at an East Midlands festival a further £7 is spent by visitors in the local economy*, demonstrating the real value of the Festival to Leicester businesses.”
She added: “emda is working to make the East Midlands a top 20 region in Europe by 2010 and we will do this by growing key industries including Creative Industries and Tourism. Nearly a third of our workforce is employed in tourism-related businesses and our aim is to help increase the amount tourists spend when they’re here and how much the sector contributes to our economic wealth.”
Tourists attracted into the area during last year’s event spent over £300,000 in Leicestershire on tickets, travel, meals and souvenirs and it is hoped that the increased number of events and high profile comedians will increase spending further.
Geoff Rowe, Leicester Comedy Festival Director said: “Leicester Comedy Festival has grown over the past 13 years to become a major force in the UK comedy and entertainment scene and we’re delighted to be back again for what will be our biggest festival to date. The programme features some of the hottest names in comedy as well as the best up and coming acts. We are delighted that Roseanne Barr will headline this year’s event, as this will be her only UK tour date. We hope this exclusive event will encourage even more people to spend time in Leicester.”
Acts also confirmed at the 2006 event which runs from 10th – 19th February include Ben Elton, Ronnie Corbett, Philarmonia Orchestra, The Mighty Boosh, Topping & Butch and Sir David Frost. For further information and to book tickets visit www.comedy-festival.co.uk
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