Before the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown in March, more than three quarters of festival-goers had already bought tickets for this year’s events, with consumers planning to attend an average of 2.76 live events in 2020, setting the industry up for a bumper year.
In what will come as a confidence boost to beleaguered festival organisers who then had to cancel events because of the pandemic, nearly all (91%) festival-goers requesting a refund on this year’s tickets said they would be likely to rebook for next year, with over three quarters ‘very likely’ to rebook, according to the UKFA COVID-19 Insights Survey, sponsored by Brothers Drinks, on live events, undertaken by research specialists CGA.
Offering much-needed hope for the future for festivals and live events, over half of regular attendees said they had confidence in the 2021 festival season, while over a third planned to attend more live events next year (if allowed) to make up those missed in 2020.
The exclusive research reveals that while 30% of festival-goers would be happy to attend a live event this year (provided government restrictions are lifted) 26% would be cautious in doing so and 18% would attend as long as there were additional health precautions taken. Around 42% said they would feel more comfortable attending local events rather than travelling to large-scale live events across the UK.
A clear majority of festival-goers expect live event operators to implement extra health and safety precautions going forward, with most expecting more handwashing facilities, free hand sanitisers, improved toilet facilities and a restriction on attendee numbers. One in four festival-going respondents expected live events to provide personal protection equipment for attendees – while another 47% expect operators to implement temperature checks on entry.
“The good news for the sector, after a year of challenges, postponements and cancellations is that customers indicate that they will return, if operators can demonstrably step up hygiene, health and safety efforts, ensuring safe environments for customers,” commented Charlie Mitchell, Research and Insights Director at UK Festival Awards.
“There is a genuine goodwill towards live events from consumers who are keen to support the sector through this difficult period – so let’s hope we can all enjoy music, culture, arts and food and drink together in a field before too long.”
The survey also found that seven out of 10 festival-goers would like the line-up of rescheduled events to be the same, although understand this may not be possible. Value for money seems increasingly important post-lockdown with the majority of festival-goers expecting to pay similar ticket prices for rescheduled events, and 49% agreeing that value for money will be more important at future live events that it has been previously.
“It’s clear from this research that the majority of festival-goers are looking forward to next year’s events and organisers will be delighted that so many of those surveyed are keen to re-book tickets,” commented Nicola Randall, Senior Marketing Manager at Brothers Drinks Co.
“The pandemic has naturally changed people’s thinking somewhat, bringing new concerns around health and safety as well as value for money. The challenge for operators will be to incorporate these measures but still create the unique atmosphere of outdoor live events and festivals, which is why they’ve become such a popular part of the summer season both in the UK and across Europe,” added Randall.
* The research was undertaken using a sample base of festival-goers via online surveys in March 2020 (with 1,400 people) and in May 2020 (with 1,511 people).
For more information contact Charlie Mitchell via charlie.mitchell@cga.co.uk or 07544 975626. Click here to download the full report
About UK Festival Awards
Since its inception in 2004, the UK Festival Awards has been dedicated to recognising and celebrating the collective accomplishments of the nation’s most beloved industry. Across its 21 categories, the Awards acknowledges the achievements of organisers and suppliers in the fields of programming, production, innovation, emerging talent, marketing, hospitality, catering and more.
In 2017, food and drink business consultancy CGA acquired the UK Festival Awards. From its offices in Manchester, United Kingdom, and Chicago, United States, CGA experts work with many of the world’s biggest consumer brands, including drinks manufacturers, consumer brand owners, food suppliers and wholesalers as well as pub, bar and restaurant retailers, festivals and government entities.
About Brothers Drinks Co. Limited
Brothers Drinks Co, based in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, is the great British cider company from Somerset and owns the Showerings Cider Mill, which is the second-largest cider plant in the UK. The company produces the Brothers flavoured cider brand, supported by the ‘Curious Mix’ marketing campaign and the recently-launched, Mallets cider brand in Original Apple and Dark Fruit variants. Brothers Drinks Co. also produces cider and other drinks for many 3rd party brand owners.
