Businesses in Durham have spoken of their sadness after it was announced light festival Lumiere is to end after 16 years.
Traders say the the biennial event, which will light up Durham one last time next month, brings a boom to business as thousands pack the city. It has benefited the local economy to the tune of £43m since it began.
Producers Artichoke announced on Thursday (October 16) Lumiere will not return in 2027.
Businesses around the city told The Northern Echo they were "gutted" and spoke of footfall doubling in the city while the event is running.
Julia Abbot, manager at Bells chippy in the Market Square, said: “I’m gutted to be honest because I've worked every single one of them.
“For four nights of the year, the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic. Customers who come in are always in a good mood.
“Footfall increases more than 100% when the event is on, so this is going to have a massive impact on the city and the independent businesses here.
“You don’t just see an increase on the day, but days before as well. It will be missed.”
Lumiere began in 2009 and has attracted more than a million visitors to the city. It has also brought in £43 million for the local economy since it began.
Just down the street, manager of the Market Tavern pub Amy Alken, from Gateshead, said the event is draws in the punters.
She said: “A lot of people usually congregate outside which is great for us, because they’ll come in for a drink and to get out of the cold.
“We will definitely feel the impact. It brings in lots of customers and money to the city."
Treats café and tea room normally stays open late when the event is on. Cafe worker Lennon Cole, 18, told the Echo: “We will definitely feel the impact here because it brings in a lot of people.
“It’s something for people to do - there’s not many events going on here. It’s all mostly for students. The city won’t be as busy next year now.”
However, Moon Jewellery owner Jo Soulsby, who started her independent jewellery business ten years ago thought it was time for the city to have a change.
After moving from Poland twenty years ago, the 42-year-old from Consett said she thinks the money could be better spent elsewhere.
She said: “As a business, I haven’t really benefited from the Lumiere as such, I didn’t see much difference in terms of sales.
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“We do stay open later when the event is on, but after chatting to customers last year, many of them felt it had gone downhill over the years.
"I think the money could be spent a lot better in other areas to support shops, restaurants and have more events that aren’t ticketed and open to everyone.
“I think it’s time and we're probably ready for a change.”
Council leader Cllr Andrew Husband added: “County Durham is immensely proud to have hosted Lumiere since 2009.
"The festival has helped put our city and county on the world stage, attracted more than a million visitors, and created lasting opportunities for local people and businesses. While this will be the final Lumiere in County Durham, its impact will live on through the communities and young people it has inspired.
"This is an opportunity for us to take time to reassess how we present light art in County Durham and explore new ways to fire people’s imaginations and bring communities together."
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