This summer’s Salt & Tar Music Festival gave Bootle’s local economy a boost approaching £1 million, research has shown.

Independent evaluation by North West Research Showed that the four-day event August generated £980,928* for the area.

10,000 people visiting Bootle 

Featuring headliners Billy Ocean, The K’s, Ocean Colour Scene and Sugababes, the Festival attracted over 10,000 visitors, 97% of whom stated the event was their main reason for visiting the town.

Attendees travelled from across the Liverpool City Region and beyond, with 24% coming from outside Sefton and the Liverpool City Region, bringing new spending into the local economy.

Increased use of public transport

The festival also drove an increase in public transport use with a clear rise in sales of single and return tickets to Bootle. Over the course of the weekend, the town saw 3.6 times the number of journeys compared to a typical Thursday to Sunday, with approximately 2,000 extra journeys recorded.

According to the research, Festival visitors spent a total of £732,036*. On average, Sefton residents spent £73.10, day visitors spent £82.26 and overnight visitors spent £176.31*

Strong social and cultural benefits 

The Salt & Tar Music Festival also delivered strong social and cultural benefits, with 95% of attendees likely to recommend the event and 68% saying it exceeded expectations. Standout performances from all the artists helped cement Salt & Tar as a highlight in the region’s cultural calendar.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Employment, said:

“Salt & Tar is a brilliant asset for Bootle and a catalyst for the town’s regeneration.

“This year’s event brought world-class entertainment to our community but also delivered a significant economic boost for local businesses.

“The fact that nearly £1 million has been injected into the local economy demonstrates the power of cultural events to drive growth, create opportunities and put Bootle firmly on the map as a destination for arts and culture.

“We are committed to building on this success and ensuring that Salt & Tar continues to play a central role in the town’s transformation.”

*Figures account for adjustments and include a regional multiplier to reflect wider economic impact