How does a major festival such as 'The Big Chill' impact upon a small community? Using a triple bottom line analysis investigate the socio-cultural, environmental, and socio-economic impact the festival has on the community of Ledbury.

Abstract

Socio-Cultural: The literature review, through the use of academic materials such as books and academic journals the author will establish the wide range of socio-cultural impacts which a major event such as a festival has on the local host community. The author will then analyse the main issues which arise from the Big Chill Festival such as noise, crowds, criminal activity and other issues which impact upon the community of Ledbury. Environmental: Environmental research will look specifically at the policies put in place by the organising bodies to protect the local heritage of Ledbury and the general environment of the host community; this will include transport issues, access and parking, cleaning operations and other major issues. Socio-Economic: The socio-economic chapter will focus on the general costs to the community of Ledbury when hosting the Big Chill Festival and what are the potential gains to the community in terms of improved visitor economy and developing local businesses such as public transport. The author will make contact with a number of local businesses in order to identify how heavily they now rely on the festival to generate their yearly profits and their aims in attracting festival goers into the town. The results will be presented by the author and then discussed to detail why they have such an effect and what policies are put in place to reduce negative impacts on the local residents. The author will then make suggestions how to limit these impacts.