Herefordshire

Despite a population comparable to many towns, Herefordshire has an internationally significant festivals sector, spanning literature, music, visual arts, food and drink, outdoor recreation and traditional crafts. However, the combined impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising costs placed many events under severe pressure, with some forced to pause or close altogether.

Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Cultural Partnership commissioned CTConsults to produce an evidence-led insights report, economic impact assessment and strategic framework to support the sector's recovery and long-term resilience. The framework provided a clear action plan to inform investment, strengthen sector support, guide council decision-making and embed ambitious environmental sustainability, including pathways towards carbon net zero for events.

The framework has since shaped a refreshed county-wide Cultural Strategy, informed Herefordshire's City of Culture bid, supported a successful Place Partnership investment, and created the conditions for new festivals and events to emerge across the county.