THIS year's Kidderminster Arts Festival generated around £190,000 worth of 'economic activity' in the Wyre Forest.

According to a report commissioned by Wyre Forest District Council to measure the local impact of the annual festival, KAF 15 brought in £35,000 of business directly into Kidderminster and the town then retained those new businesses and individuals visiting the festival.

Vishalakshi Roy, of Earthen Lamp, the company which produced the report, said the results also say that local people are very appreciative of the festival happening in their local area and its benefits to the town.

He said: “Our evidence suggests that KAF 15 has generated £190,000 of 'economic activity', of which £35,000 was brought into Kidderminster as direct result of KAF15, and retained by businesses and individuals in the town.”

KAF 15 marked the 12th year of the festival, which was held in and around the town centre between August 8 and 23. The festival theme was Transformation to reflect the £2 million investment of improvements being made in Kidderminster town centre by Wyre Forest District Council and key partners.

There were 82 events and activities during the festival, which attracted around 14,172 active visitors and participants, and a total of 162,172 people encountering KAF. More than 300 different artists took part in KAF 15, of which 45 were visiting artists from outside Kidderminster. In addition there were 146 volunteer sessions.

Loz Samuels, arts and play officer at the council, said: “We were pleased with the results of the report which showed that there is a sound business case for KAF, which supports local businesses such as cafes, bars, B&Bs and hotels. We know that the event has a positive effect on the town from feedback we get each year so it is great to see this translated into the data borne out in the report. The figures will get better as our ability to know what we need to count improves and the festival grows."

Cllr Sally Chambers, the council’s member for health, wellbeing and housing, said: “Next year’s festival is set to be the biggest yet so we urge local businesses to consider how they can secure their share of business from the growing numbers of visitors to the town during the summer.”

The local impact study was funded by Worcestershire County Council’s ‘Open for Business’ fund. Stephen Wilson, county arts officer, said: "I am pleased to see how the festival makes such a positive impact on the town and we hope it continues to do so for many years to come."

KAF 16 will run throughout the month of August and the theme will be Exploring our musical heritage.