More than 22,000 visitors flocked to Harrogate for the ‘biggest ever’ Knitting & Stitching Show, according to organisers.
The four-day event, which took place at Harrogate International Centre (HIC Yorkshire) from November 20, enjoyed a six per cent rise on visitor numbers over last year’s show, with a total of 22,238 people.
The event saw about 300 companies exhibiting and offered 160 workshops, 80 per cent of which sold out.
Show organisers, Upper Street Events, said general feedback from exhibitors had been “very good” with most reporting an increase in takings.
Anna Baptiste, the show’s marketing manager, said: It’s so encouraging that The Knitting & Stitching Show attracted more visitors than ever to Harrogate this year, especially after we’d seen such a huge increase in 2013.
The team worked very hard to build and improve the show, but ultimately it’s testament to the resurgence in crafts in general.
The BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee and celebrities such as Kirstie Allsopp have contributed to this – we’re seeing newcomers to crafts but also a revival in interest from people who used to knit and sew many years ago.
People are remembering how rewarding making can be, and have been inspired to dust off their sewing machines. Long may it last.
Simon Kent, HIC director, said: I took a walk through the event and there was a fantastic buzz about the place.
It’s easily one of our most popular public shows and it’s great for HIC and the organisers that it’s still going from strength to strength after so many years with us.
The fact that we had so many visitors is also good for the whole town. Harrogate seemed to be really busy on Saturday and Sunday with people out shopping and enjoying the lights.
