One of Northumberland's biggest attractions nearly doubled visitor numbers last year as it saw revenue return to pre-pandemic levels.
Alnwick Garden chief executive officer Mark Brassell described a "stellar year" in which the charity benefited from Government VAT reductions, investment in its events programme and the Covid-induced staycation boom. Accounts for the trust show total revenue rose considerably to £5.8m in the year to the end of March 2022, up from £2.9m in 2021 and ahead of pre-Covid levels of £4.9m in its 2017-18 year.
Included in the period was the Garden's strongest ever festive season in which the number of visitors to its extended Christmas Light Trail rocketed from about 7,000 to 37,000 - a move which also saw the introduction of local independent food sellers who benefited to the tune of £65,000. The success has led the Garden to establish a calendar of food pop-ups over the spring and summer season - with bosses on the look out for new businesses to include.
