Bristol's economy to get boost thanks to summer events

The T4 on the Beach event has been held in Weston-super-Mare for six years

Million of pounds will be brought into Bristol's economy over the summer months, according to the city council.

The bonanza is already under way - and this weekend's St Pauls Carnival and a wine and food festival will see thousands of people heading to the city.

John Hirst, from tourism organisation Destination Bristol, told BBC Radio Bristol's Steve Le Fevre there's so much going on that sometimes the city gets "double-booked".

"In an ideal world we'd have eight weekends in July," he said.

"The St Pauls Carnival and the Wine and Food Fair could sit independently [but] we just have to go with it because there's just so much to do.

St Pauls Carnival has run continuously since 1967, with a break in 2006

"It's going to be a busy weekend."

Kate Davenport, director of economics at Bristol City Council, says certain events yield literally millions of pounds.

"We don't have figures for the events which are organised privately but we believe that the Harbour Festival - which is organised by the city council - generates at least £5m over the weekend for the Bristol economy.

"That's in food and drink, transport, parking, hotels - as well as offering fantastic opportunities for creative people in the city to get involved and to showcase their work. So, loads of money coming in."

And it's not just Bristol that will see a seasonal boost.

The local economy in North Somerset will be swelled by £3m in just one day, courtesy of Weston-super-Mare's T4 on the Beach music festival on Saturday, 3 July.

Bristol's Harbour Festival brings in around £5m to the local economy

About 50,000 people are expected to gather in the resort to see acts like Dizzee Rascal, Pixie Lott and The Saturdays.

Felicity Baker, who is in charge of tourism at North Somerset Council, says the T4 festival is key to the summer boon.

"It's hugely successful for the whole of the region and Weston in particular - people love it," she said.

"We get about 6.5m visitors into Weston and the area annually and we're told that generates about £330m into the local economy. It's a huge amount; it all adds up."

It is the sixth year the music event has been held in the resort, so why do the organisers keep returning to Weston?

Cath Lovesey, editor of T4, loves the seaside town and admits this is "her favourite weekend of the year."

"Weston has always been so brilliantly accommodating. It's such a fantastic place to come back to.

"I'm a Brighton girl and I come to Weston and I have huge beach-envy.

"It's a beautiful beach. We didn't plan to come back every year but it's so wonderful, we can't resist it."