A study into how Cardiff's annual Big Weekend can maximise its positive impacts, whilst examining the challenges facing the event into the future

Abstract

A study was conducted in order to examine the impacts that Cardiff's Big Weekend has on its local community. The study investigated how the event can maximise its positive impacts, whilst examining the challenges that it faces in the future. An analysis of a range of event impacts was conducted in order to gain a better understanding of the literature that already existed. The literature review included background theory from a range of books, newspaper articles and internet sources, as well as real life examples. This enabled the study to achieve the first research objective; to analyse the literature surrounding impacts that events have on their local communities. A range of primary research methods were conducted in order to fully achieve the research objectives. In response to objectives number two and four (to analyse local perceptions and to critically examine the major impacts that Cardiff’s Big Weekend has on the city) a range of interviews, a focus group and participant observation were chosen and fully justified in the methodology chapter. Alternative methods were also discussed, which were unsuitable for this type of study and therefore decided against. Research findings indicated that the interviewees concurred with key themes, including a range of positive and negative impacts. Conclusions could be drawn to show that environmental, social and economic impacts each had an effect on the local community. This led the author to achieve the final research objective; to formulate recommendations of ways to improve Cardiff’s Big Weekend, taking future challenges into consideration. A range of suggestions for improvement were made, taking each separate impact into consideration. Conclusions were made at the end of the study, in order to summarise the main findings and reiterate the recommendations in order for the event to maximise its positive impacts.