GWYNEDD Council has agreed to spend £50,000 in a bid to attract more major events to the county.

Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet has approved a request to open the purse strings to try and entice event organisers to bring more attractions to the area in a bid to help the local economy.

As a result, £50,000 of the council’s transformation fund will go towards realising the Increasing the Benefits of Major Events project during the 2019/20 financial year.

According to the report, which will be debated in Caernarfon this afternoon, for every £1 Gwynedd Council has invested in events during 2018, the county’s economy has benefited from £111.53.

Portfolio holder Cllr Ioan Thomas said: “It’s important to emphasise that major events play a large role in our economy but also help with project the image that Gwynedd is a good place to live.

“I acknowledge that some councils spend more but others spend less, but would emphasise that we have an officer that works with event organisers and offers both practical support and a facilitator on behalf of the council.”

Officers also fear that, by not having a pot of money to support events, it could lead to some relocating to other areas of Wales, thus losing the economic benefits and the chance to raise the profile and image of Gwynedd.

Among the highlights earmarked during 2018/19 are the success of Barmouth Hurly Burly, an outdoor swimming and running event that attracted 1,000 people, and the start of the Tour of Britain cycling race in Dolgellau, which was also broadcast on ITV4.

Red Bull was also encouraged and agreed to use Plas Tan y Bwlch as accommodation for the Red Bull Hardline, with Festival No 6 at Portmeirion also investing £435,000 directly in the economy of Gwynedd despite an announcement they will not return next year.

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