Goose Fair: 'Substantial economic uplift' as £10 million spent at...

Despite various setbacks, including a tram strike, the 10-day festival drew close to 500,000 attendees.

Despite a number of obstacles, including a tram strike, Nottingham’s annual Goose Fair drew nearly 500,000

visitors last year. The 10-day strike that threatened to last the entire family gathering was short-lived by one day as

GMB Midlands announced a compromise had been reached.

Given the cost of living issue, the GMB said the offer provided to its members was inadequate, and the union and

Nottingham’s tram operator had been at differences over staff pay. From Friday, September 27 to Sunday, October 6,

the city also experienced heavy rains during the Forest Recreation Ground event.

During the ten days of Goose Fair, 493,200 people attended; the busiest day, Saturday, October 5, with 110,442

visitors. Nottingham City Council has now disclosed that tourists spent an estimated £10 million at Goose Fair, with

an average of around £20 spent each individual.

In a post-event visitor survey, attendees were asked about their spending at the fair, and it was found that an

estimated £1.2 million was spent on transport, £2.9 million on food and drink, and £5.9 million on rides and

attractions at the fair.

These numbers contributed to a notable economic boost for the city by increasing transport use around Nottingham

and drawing more local and regional tourists. Nottingham City Council’s executive member for leisure, culture, and

carbon reduction, Cllr. Sam Lux, stated: “The amount of money spent by visitors at Goose Fair not only

demonstrates its importance as a regional event, but it also significantly boosts the city’s economy.

“We can welcome even more guests thanks to the fair’s increased 10-day run, which boosts tourism, local businesses,

and the economy as a whole. In order to have another successful event in 2025, we are eager to collaborate with the

Showmen’s Guild once more.

Data shows that 72% of those attending the fair were from Nottinghamshire, and 28% were visitors from other

regions in the rest of the East Midlands and further afield. Since 2022, Goose Fair has been held over 10 days as a

longer event.

Since the last five-day event in 2019, the fair has seen an annual increase of almost 100,000 visitors. In order to

decide on the event for the following year, the Council and the Showmen’s Guild are in constant communication.

“The Council and the Showmen’s Guild agree that last year’s Goose Fair was a success once again,” stated William

Percival, chair of the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire division of the guild. Given that weather ruined four days and

the tram strike limited the opening day, a ten-day fair is more feasible. The audience, the Council, and the

performers will all benefit from the work we’re doing with the Council to make the renowned fair better.

Goose Fair: ‘Substantial economic uplift’ as £10 million spent at Nottingham event in 2024