Broadstairs Folk Week 2023 and beyond

The environment

Folk Week uses reusable items wherever possible and provides recycling bins in all the venues.

The local economy

After a dismal summer, with very few visitors in the town, Folk Week coincided with good weather and there were thousands of people attending the free events organised by the festival around the town. Because the festival is in the town, the spend all goes back into the local economy, it is not a green-field site, outside the town. All the restaurants, cafes and retail outlets benefited hugely and some of them acknowledged this boost that Folk Week gives to the local economy by becoming Corporate Supporters of the festival. There was no accommodation available in the various hotels and B&Bs in the town due to Folk Week and many visitors have already contacted the festival to check on 2024 dates so they can immediately book their accommodation. The actual number of visitors is hard to quantify without an in-depth survey of visitor numbers that Folk Week is not able to do. The number of local businesses that Folk Week directly supports is significant, and this year included the local car, minibus and coach hire, security company, town venues, fence, tent and sound hire and accountants. The Kent County Council Economic Benefit Survey from 2012 estimated Folk Week boosts the local economy by £2.3 million and this figure is unlikely to have reduced.

Volunteering, jobs & education

During this year’s festival, 237 volunteers worked a total of 8295 hours. The teams of workforce included managing our venues – the Queen’s Road centre for concerts and workshops; the Sarah Thorne Theatre for dances and ceillidhs; the Sailing Club and Crampton Tower Museum for acoustic performances and the bandstand for free daily family entertainment. The campsite team of wardens organised volunteer minibus drivers, litter picking, and the check-in team looked after performers, dancers, other volunteers and festivalgoers. There was a dedicated team for safe-guarding and welfare. The Craft and Music fair was run by a volunteer manager and the Folk Week merchandise stall had 3 teams. The Box office ticket sales were also managed by a volunteer for several months before the festival and during the week. In addition, the Folk Week volunteer committee met regularly to organise the festival, with a variety of responsibilities including Technical Director, Finance Director, Children’s Team Manager, Volunteer Manager and Risk Management.

Arts, culture & heritage

Broadstairs does not have any large venues and Thanet has closed 2 of the most important theatres in Margate. Working with local venues ensures that the profile and attendance they receive during the festival boost their ability to survive year round. Many internationally renowned performers come to Broadstairs during Folk Week because the audience has travelled from all over the country to see them. Local performers are also gives the opportunity to perform as support acts to main acts which gives them exposure and supports their career development.

Activity, health and leisure

Folk Week is attended by every age group who enjoy dancing, singing and playing together. Many of the workshops give the opportunity to begin a new hobby or improve an existing one. Dancing, singing and creating an event together promotes mental health and physical well-being.