Festive experience at Lotherton attracts almost 65,000 visitors

Tens of thousands of people flocked to a fantastic new festive extravaganza at Lotherton Hall last Christmas.

A report that will go before the council’s executive board next week reveals that the new Lotherton Christmas Experience, which saw the estate transformed into a festive wonderland, attracted more than ten times as many visitors as the previous year.

From November 25 until December 23, 2016, the estate welcomed an incredible 64,743 visitors compared to 8,920 during the same period in 2015.

The huge increase generated £282,613 in income compared to £23,504 in 2015.

And from November 25 until December 23, a total of 494 new members signed up to Lotherton in comparison to 236 in the same period in 2015.

The new attraction included a magical Twelve Days of Christmas walk around the woods and gardens and an elf village in the courtyard complete with Santa’s Grotto.

The beautiful hall was also transformed into a traditional Edwardian Christmas country manor, where families could dress up and take pictures.

The project was devised and managed by the council’s Breeze team, working alongside colleagues from museums and galleries, parks and countryside and the Christmas lights team.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The Lotherton Christmas Experience has been an incredible success which exceeded our expectations and it’s wonderful that so many families had the chance to enjoy this unique experience at such a special time of year.

“It’s also a superb example of teamwork and innovation, with the Breeze team coming up with a creative vision for a new attraction, with support from colleagues across the council, bringing that vision to life.”

The report, which will go before the executive board on March 22, also reveals that plans are in progress to make the experience even better next year.

Money generated from this year will be used to support the services involved and for next year’s event.

To read a full copy of the executive board report, please visit: http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s156354/Lotherton%20Hall%20Cover%20Report%20V2%20100317.pdf

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 378 9182 (please note my new number)

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk