Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival to generate £45m for Doncaster

The upcoming Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival could potentially earn around £45m for the local economy, research has shown.

Last year’s festival, one of highlights of the UK racing calendar, brought more than 60,000 racegoers to South Yorkshire during a four-day period in September.

According to research by Doncaster Racecourse, those spectators spent an estimated £45m in local shops, bars and restaurants – bringing significant financial boosts to dozens of local businesses.

This year’s festival, beginning on September 9th, is going to attract a similar number of visitors and many companies have already reported a boost in trade ahead of the big event.

Doncaster-based female fashion store Chique said it has seen a 20% rise in sales in the lead up to this year’s festival, with stylish ladies purchasing their special outfits for the showpiece event. Other businesses in the town have also reported an increase in trade.

Carolyn Poole, owner of Chique, said: “This year we’ve had a lot of interest from ladies looking to buy that unique outfit so that they stand out from the crowd at the festival. We can cater for that as we’re very boutique and rarely have more than three of each type of garment in the store.

“The festival has had a really positive impact on the local economy and our business has benefited massively. Footfall has increased, sales are up and it has been a great boost to us at the end of a very busy summer.”

Kieran Gallagher, executive director at Doncaster Racecourse, added: “The festival attracts people from all over the country and in doing so, boosts the local tourism industry and gives local businesses a lift.

“Chique is one of many well-established businesses that have seen trade increase in the run up to the festival and others will benefit once the showpiece event gets underway on September 9.”

The J2O Spritz Leger Legends Day and its Leger Legends race marks day one of the festival, followed by the DFS Ladies Day on September 10.

The last day of the festival attracts some of the most prestigious racing of the week, with the Socialites E-Cigarettes Doncaster Cup Gentlemen’s Day taking centre-stage, before the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes brings the four-day bonanza to a dramatic climax on September 12.