The King Street Festival attracts record crowds to the heart of Manchester

12th Jun 2018

Over the weekend 2-3 June The King Street Festival was back to transform the street into a garden party to remember. For the past three years, Manchester’s Business Improvement District (BID) has worked with partners Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester and Manchester Evening News to celebrate the past, present and future of Manchester’s luxury heritage shopping destination.

The mini-fest showcases the street’s flourishing mix of retailers with a weekend filled with fashion, beauty, music, history and VIP experiences.

The event was promoted through a multi-channel campaign across a digital events portal at visitmanchester.comTwitterFacebook and Instagramoutdoor screen advertising, street signage, print and POS – and local, regional and national PR including print, online and broadcast media.

The King Street Festival is part of the BID’s annual events programme, which rotates around the shopping district. This allows members from across the area and across sectors to take part in targeted events.

Next up: 21 June Mystery Shopping Awards ceremony and celebration at the Royal Exchange Theatre and our 28-29 July Bee in the City Weekender.

Festival Highlights

Highlights this year included a preview of Bee in the CityThe Manchester Flower Show complete with pocket gardens and green takeovers, The Festival BandstandThe Conversation Stage featuring Dave Haslam on his days DJing at the Hacienda and tour guide Jonathan Schofield, The Winners Table, a dining competition in association with City Life, Flourish Flower Market, Rapha Club House coffee van, Ice Cream Creations and The King Street Cocktail Trail.

Exclusive retail treats included 15% off at DKNY and The White Stuff, gifts with purchase at Karen Millen and The White Company, a chance to win £250 personal shopping experiences at Hobbs, stunning floral windows at Charles Tyrwhitt and kids crafts at Cath Kidston and Virgin Money Lounge.

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Footfall Stats

50,000 people enjoyed the festivities over the weekend, a 16% increase from the same event weekend in 2017.

Since the event’s launch in 2016, the weekend has consistently brought around 20,000 extra people to the area, which is a +65% uplift on a non-event weekend.

This year the Sunday saw a 47% increase in footfall with the beautiful sunny weather.

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Local, regional and national press coverage (£237,000 AVE across 50 articles and broadcasts)

Across titles including The Pool, Daily Express Saturday Magazine, Waitrose Magazine, Kids Guide, NetMums, Virgin Money, LateRooms, Country Attire, Days Out, Skiddle, Living Edge, Cheshire Life, Place North West, Manchester Evening News, CityLife, The Confidentials, Manchester Wire, Manchester Finest, Visit Manchester, BBC Radio Manchester, Key 103, About Manchester and Creative Tourist.