Jono 58 Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 THE Big Weekend cost Swindon about £400,000 with most of the cash going on policing and transport. Now Swindon Council is figuring out how to hold a music festival every year.It used money put aside for a summer festival in the town centre, marketing money and Government funding to pay for its side of the Radio 1 event. Coun Phil Young, Swindon Council’s lead member for culture, said the investment has paid off thanks to the national exposure on the town.He said: “It was difficult, as we didn’t know how much it would cost but we knew that Cardiff spent £500,000 in 2003.“The location presented us with a challenge, as Lydiard is rural.”Transport, including AA staff, signage, car parking and stewards, cost £200,000 while the police were paid £160,000.The remaining £40,000 went on additional security, said Coun Young.“Hotels received bumper bookings while the economy is in mire,” he said. “It gave the town so much publicity. It gets the town into people’s consciousness.“The biggest question or comment I have received is: ‘Right, what is happening next year’. There seems to be a real desire from the town to hold a festival on an annual basis. The festival had an impact on the people of West Swindon so we would need to consider the location.“The Big Weekend was a unique one-off but now we have to sit down and think about what, where and when.”He thanked council staff and volunteers who acted as litter pickers and stewards.“When the council went after the Radio 1 Big Weekend we always knew that it would be hugely beneficial to Swindon but I don’t think anyone involved realised just how big it would be.”He also pointed out the benefits children saw thanks to BBC and council outreach work and the success of the fringe events.Boy band JLS stunned Nova Hreod School thanks to a surprise visit arranged by BBC Radio 1.Senior broadcasting staff also visited the town to talk to youngsters about the media. http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/4390591.Big_weekend_costs_Swindon___400_000/I think effectively £400,000, although it seems a lot, is quite reasonable for what they have received and also the brilliant organisation has shown Swindon in a new light to those from outside of the town. The running of buses every five minutes for free couldn't have been cheap but as the article mentions it must have given the economy a boost as all hotels and B&Bs were soon fully booked. Hopefully, in general, the people of Swindon approve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me_54m 10 Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 It sounds like the BBC must tender the big weekend and then Local Authorities step forward to hosting it. Quote Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inxces4308 Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 £400,000 isn't that bad considering all the marketing the town got, all the business that was brought in and all the people that probably managed to keep there jobs within the town because of it.Also....Imagine how much it cost the BBC, probably dosn't even compare to £400,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik 10 Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 When I saw the thread title, I thought it was going to contain old people, complaining about where their taxes are going. It's good to see people in Swindon thought positively of it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambish 10 Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Well i won't be visiting Swindon for anything, last time i did that was for a football match and their fans at the end weren't the least bit peaceful. Really dislike Swindon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmargh 10 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Well i won't be visiting Swindon for anything, last time i did that was for a football match and their fans at the end weren't the least bit peaceful. Really dislike Swindon.Swindon + Bristol + football, what do you expect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissCorsham 10 Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 They did alright, I don't think the location was particularly good, seeing as it was 2 miles from the main road, plus some from wherever anyone else could get their cars too. We had to trek from the devere hotel each time, which is where the masterclass and the celebs stayed (they were given a coach to the venue tho..)Other then the ruralness and the stewards not knowing where on earth things were to direct us into or out of town, they did really well and the event was just class! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob 11 Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 News just in:Swindon takes a loan out from Scott Mills Quote The geek formally known as Scott Mills Guru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lareneg 10 Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 I went to the Big Weekend, and whilst I don't particularly like Swindon, I would definitely go if they held a similar festival next summer. Just the fact that it's local and all :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldengirl 10 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Now Swindon Council is figuring out how to hold a music festival every year.Dundee said exactly the same thing after the Big Weekend was here but it never happened!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark-juggler 10 Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Well i won't be visiting Swindon for anything, last time i did that was for a football match and their fans at the end weren't the least bit peaceful. Really dislike Swindon.You live in Bristol?! WOOT!! Quote I Juggle. And i hang around the lounge mostly.www.twitter.com/juggler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy 10 Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 How did you even find this thread :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMonty 10 Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 There is still no news about another festival next year?! Though they are making an specific music venue, something swindon doesn't have yet! Though apparently Radio One don't tell the council how much it will actually cost them untill they can't cancel, but it did Swindon great and so we can't complain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanthebean 10 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Bring the festival up north for a god damn change, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono 58 Posted December 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Bring the festival up north for a god damn change,You mean like Preston or Dundee? Sunderland? That'd be a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanthebean 10 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 You mean like Preston or Dundee? Sunderland? That'd be a good idea.Well havnt they went sunderland before? be awsome for me only like 2 hours by train to get there if that happened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanthebean 10 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I think blackpool would be a pretty cool place to have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom. 10 Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 sounds a little selfish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jugalug 10 Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Well havnt they went sunderland before? be awsome for me only like 2 hours by train to get there if that happenedGive me strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkey 10 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Well havnt they went sunderland before? be awsome for me only like 2 hours by train to get there if that happenedhaha this is funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik B. 10 Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 OK, who broke the moron filter this time? Quote Nik B.Born to Toads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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