Crewe Town Councillors have unveiled a programme of events to try and attract more visitors after the success of the Lumen show at Christmas.
The month-long festive attraction, which projected a winter fairytale onto the frontage of Municipal Buildings, was hailed a success after attracting more than 11,000 people on its launch night.
A report to organisers at Crewe Town Council reveals it more than doubled the number of people drawn to Christmas light switch-on events in previous years.
The increase in footfall led to £104,995 spent in local outlets, based on a survey of families attending.
While most were from Crewe, others travelled from Nantwich, Stoke, Newcastle, Middlewich, Northwich and Derbyshire after hearing about Lumen on Facebook.
Now Crewe Town Council has set a date for Lumen 2019. November 29 will see a new story projected onto Municipal Buildings.
The Christmas campaign is part of a 10-year strategy to promote leisure-led prosperity in Crewe and develop a reputation as the go-to town for events with a difference.
Summer highlights will include July’s arts and transport event TrAction and the council is hoping to stage another Chalk It up family festival.
Also in the pipeline is Colour Run, which will see teams of runners doused in coloured powder as they dart through the town centre.
Crewe Cosmopolitan Food Festival returns in October.
Science fiction and fantasy festival Steampunk has a December date and throughout the year there will be regular community and charity events with The Cat 107.9FM involved.
Crewe Town Council deputy leader, Cllr Benn Minshall, said: “It’s going to be another year of progress in Crewe.
“The events programme in particular is going from strength to strength and is changing what people think about Crewe.
“In respect of the Town Development Committee, I’m looking forward to events like TrAction and Lumen, but of course there are many partners who are contributing to the vibrancy and life of the town with their own events, which we will be proud to support.
“In respect of Community Plan Committee, I am looking forward to our ongoing support for events like Crewe Women’s Day, Tree of Light, bi-annual Arts Fest and the programme with What’s Happening on North Street.
“Not only does Crewe have some wonderful public spaces, but there are other venues such as the Heritage Centre and Lifestyle Centre that are making their contribution to the vibrancy of the town.
“I have no doubt that 2019 will bring even more to shout about.”
Now Crewe Town Council is calling on community organisations who can support the strategy with their own events.
Cllr Minshall added: “It’s been proven that large and small-scale events draw people into town so if have an idea for an event or if you a community organisation looking to stage one we would like to hear from you.”
For information on how the council can support an event call 01270 756975 or visit www.crewetowncouncil.gov.uk
For anyone interested in the ArtsFest 2019 event, it will be held on the 4th and 5th of October, at All Saint’s Chruch CW2 8LX from 10am to 5:30pm. Everyone Welcome!