The 2024 Taste Cumbria food festival in Cockermouth brought in £2.2 million for the local economy, according to independent research.

The event, which took place on the last weekend of September, drew more than 25,000 visitors to the town.

Research revealed that this resulted in a return on investment of nearly £40 for every pound spent delivering the event by the organisers, Cumberland Council.

A survey revealed that 99 per cent of attendees would return to another Taste Cumbria event, with 65 per cent rating the experience as 'very good', an increase from 62 per cent last year.

The remaining 35 per cent rated it as 'good', and there were no 'average' or negative ratings.

The evaluation, conducted by Kendal-based Red Research, saw 102 surveys completed over the weekend, representing 272 adults and 54 children.

The team found that the event boosted tourism, with more visitors coming from outside the Cumberland area, and an increasing number of families attending.

The report stated: "Staying visitor groups were 9.8 per cent of the sample.

"If this sample was representative, then an estimated 2,450 of the 25,000 attendees would be tourists from outside of Cumbria, staying overnight."

It also highlighted that there were more people at Taste Cockermouth with friends this year.

The number of groups with children has increased over the last two years, with 23 per cent of groups including children in 2024, up from 19 per cent in 2022 and 21 per cent in 2023.

The event has developed a loyal following, with 57 per cent of those surveyed having attended a previous festival, and 79 per cent of those interviewed visiting Cockermouth specifically for the event.

The report stated: “People commented on the great atmosphere, they loved the music, the cooking demonstrations and the stalls.

"People said the event was well organised, and that it brings the town to life and is good for both the town and the community.”

Ellie Jones, Cumberland Council and Taste Cumbria's event manager, said: "We are incredibly happy to see that Taste Cumbria in Cockermouth delivered everything we hoped for, and that the economic impact of these festivals continues to rise.

"To hear that 99 per cent of people would come back again is the icing on the cake."

The festival was sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Milburns Solicitors, and supported by Tractorshed Brewery and RockWith.

Following the success of this event, more Taste Cumbria events are planned for the autumn and winter.

A Taste Carlisle event will be held in the Cathedral grounds on November 2 and 3, followed by a Taste Christmas event in Cockermouth on December 7 and 8.