Taste Cumbria's £1.7m boost for the local economy

The festival last weekend, run by cnevents, attracted around 40,000 visitors. The return on investment is calculated as £21.34 for each £1 invested, providing a boost to the local economy of just over £1.7m.

This year's event included a producer’s market with 100 traders, a beer festival, a pop-up restaurant with Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan – who this week was named AA Chef of the Year – and a host of expert demonstrations and masterclasses.

It began last Friday with a beer festival at Jennings Brewery, run in association with Workington's Tractor Shed Brewing, and included a sold-out comedy night at the Trout Hotel and acoustic musical sessions throughout the weekend.

Visitors travelled from across Cumbria - and beyond - with 56 per cent coming from outside Allerdale.

Of those questioned, 53 per cent said they would eat and drink in town over the weekend, and 56 per cent said they would use local shops.

Organiser Marie Whitehead, director of cnevents, said: “It is fantastic to see such positive feedback.

“Some of our traders have reported record-breaking takings over the weekend – The Coffee Kitchen, Hallsford Farm, Lakes Distillery and Fyne Fish are just a few of those who said their tills were ringing more loudly than ever before.

“I want to say a massive thank you to our chefs, traders, sponsors and supporters.

Related : Photos from the event

"Taste Cumbria wouldn’t happen without their help.”

Taste Cumbria 2016 was organised in association with Allerdale Council and Cumbria Life. Its main sponsors are Cockermouth town council, the Lakes Distillery and the Trout Hotel, and associate sponsors are Caterite, Cockermouth Kitchen Company, The Coffee Kitchen, Cumbria Tourism, Jennings Brewery, L’Enclume, Mitchells Auction Company, Robert Welch Designs and the Wood Hall luxury self-catering property.

A Taste Cumbria Christmas event will take place in Cockermouth on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11.