Outdoor Events Contribute over £30 billion to UK Economy

New research, carried out by Bournemouth University for the Events Industry Forum, has revealed that outdoor events have been much undervalued for the contribution they make to the UK economy, both locally and nationally, with a Gross Value of over £30 billion and providing employment for some 589,000 people.

The research, funded by sales of the Purple Guide, is thought to be the first comprehensive study of the market to be undertaken.

In 2018, the year which was the focus for the study, over 140 million people attended outdoor events, according to the researchers, ranging from music festivals to fairs and steam rallies. The good news for the industry is that 84% of those attendees were satisfied with the way events are run and the majority of interviewees felt that outdoor events were a very important to them.

Over 80% of respondents said that outdoor events create a positive image for the community/destination where they are located and are important in providing local businesses with additional customers.

There are, however, some areas respondents felt that organisers could improve – ranging from congestion and antisocial behaviour to helping people cope with Britain’s hugely variable weather conditions.

The full research report is available free-of-charge on the Events Industry Forum website at www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk. 

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Note to Editors:

An infographic showing the key data from the research can be downloaded at www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk/docs/value_of_outdoor_events_inforgraphic_hi_res.pdf. 

For more information, please contact Jim Winship, Secretary of the Forum, on 01291 636331 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

About the Purple Guide - The Purple Guide was originally published by the HSE in the early 1990s and quickly became established as the main reference source for health, safety and welfare at music and similar events. The Events Industry Forum took over publication in 2013 with the support of the HSE and published the new version in March 2014.

The new Guide was compiled in consultation with the industry and enforcement agencies, including the HSE, police and fire services.

The Purple Guide’s 29 Chapters are continually reviewed and updated in line with changes in legislation and best practice. A detailed review has been undertaken this year (2019) and a number of new chapters have been added covering areas such as drones and worker welfare. The Guide is available online at www.thepurpleguide.co.uk

About the Forum - The Events Industry Forum is an informal body which brings together event trade bodies, educational establishments and enforcement agencies twice a year to discuss issues of common interest.

The Purple Guide is published by EIF Ltd, which was set up solely for the purpose of managing this publication. See www.eventsindustryforum.co.uk

All funds raised from sales of the Purple Guide are ring-fenced to provide grants and funding for projects of benefit to the outdoor event industry.

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