Firms see trade boost from comedy festival

Businesses in a Worcestershire town have reported a sharp boost in trade, thanks to the second annual Rik Mayall Comedy Festival.

The festival in Droitwich was dedicated to the comedy legend, who grew up in the town and was best known for The Young Ones, Bottom, The New Statesman and Blackadder.

This year's festival was held between 29 May and 6 June, with 30 venues hosting more than 300 events.

The Old Cock Inn was one such venue and hosted music and comedy acts across the nine days. Landlady Claire Fellows described the festival as a "real success", and said her trade had improved by 200%.

She added: "We did so much more and there was so much more going on in the town.

"So many more people arrived just to see what was going on and see all the shows, it was fantastic."

The Rifleman's Arms hosted 14 shows in total and landlord Dave Owen said he felt the festival had made Droitwich a destination for comedy fans.

"It's brilliant, it brings trade and footfall into the town," he explained.

"It doesn't just put Droitwich on the map locally, they know about it as far as America and Japan and all over. It really does put the town on the map."

It is not just food and drink venues that hosted comedy shows. Libraries, community halls and even barber shops were involved.

Chloe Millington from Barbertown stopped cutting hair for the festival, opened a bar and set up a small performance area for up and coming comedians.

"Last year was a real treat," she said.

"It is a lot of fun and the comedians often include Barbertown in their acts and it intrigues people to come and get their hair cut with us.

"We're 100% going to be a venue next year if it happens."

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