Nottingham City Council has revealed that visitors spent an estimated £10m at Nottingham’s historic Goose Fair in autumn 2024. The ten-day event was held at the Forest Recreation Ground from Friday 27 September to Sunday 6 October last year.
Despite the tram strike on the first day of the fair, and torrential rain mid-week, Goose Fair welcomed 493,200 visitors across the ten days. Saturday 5 October was the busiest day, with fine weather attracting 110,442 people to the event. On average each person spent approximately £20 during their visit.
In a post-event visitor survey, attendees were asked about their spending at the fair. It is estimated that £1.2m was spent on transport, £2.9m on food and drink, and £5.9m on rides and attractions.
This generated a significant economic uplift for the city, bringing more local and regional visitors to the area and increasing transport usage across Nottingham. Data shows that 72% of attendees were from Nottinghamshire, and 28% were visitors from the rest of the East Midlands and further afield.
Since 2022 Goose Fair has been held over ten days. Approximately 100,000 more visitors have attended the fair each year since the last five-day event in 2019. Discussions are continuing between the Council and the Showmen’s Guild for a decision on the 2025 event.
Cllr Sam Lux, Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “Goose Fair’s visitor spend not only highlights its status as a major regional event but also brings a substantial economic uplift to the city.
“With its extended ten-day duration, the fair allows us to welcome even more visitors, driving growth in tourism, local businesses, and the wider economy. We are looking forward to working with the Showmen’s Guild again for another successful event in 2025.”
William Percival, Chair of the Showmen’s Guild (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire branch), said: “The Showmen’s Guild and the Council is in agreement that last year’s Goose Fair was a success once again. A ten-day fair is more viable as four days were affected due to rain, and the first day was restricted by the tram strike.
“The work we’re doing with the Council will improve the famous fair for everyone – the public, the Council, and the showmen.”
