The main role of festivals and events in the UK

Festivals as the industry has a market size of 3 billion GBP in the United Kingdom. It employs around 26,951 employees (IBIS World, 2022). In this industry, festivals and music concerts are held that generate income through hospitality revenue and sales of tickets. Festival commerce is growing as it is estimated to have a 12% increase in revenue within 5 years (Fleximize, 2019). Live events provide lucrative opportunities for small businesses across the country to reach a new audience. Based on a recent study it is found that Britons are willing to spend 1.2 billion GBP at summer festivals with 37% of them preferring on-site shopping and 31% of them considering festivals as a better place to explore new trends. Thus, the sales opportunity gained by local businesses serves the local economy and national GDP.

Besides serving the economy of a country, festivals and events give an opportunity to people to forget their worries and celebrate the positive things in their life. They act as stress relievers and help in balancing emotions. The chances of friction reduce and estranged relatives and friends come together (Zalmay, 2017). Festivals play a pivotal role in building a nation by bringing people from different economic, religious and social backgrounds together. They contribute to the feeling of social cohesion by informing people about ethnicity, traditions and cultures through celebrations.

According to Singh (2020), festivals promote diversity by bringing neighbours into interactive discussions besides increasing creativity. They give an avenue for civic pride and improve psychological welling. People are able to express themselves and celebrate magnificent heritage, cultures and traditions. Festivities offer individuals a means to create special emotions and moments and rejoice in their lives with loved ones. They play a significant part by adding meaning to social lives and enabling people to connect with their origins and experience a sense of belonging.

(Source: GlasHaus Design,2021)

  

Chelsea Flower Show highlights major themes of health and well-being as well as plant-friendly gardening. This emphasises the importance of sustainable practices to the environment and the way plants and gardens promote positive psychological well-being through their restorative and healing power. In this way, the event contributes to societal education on environment conservation. One of the garden categories, All About Plants in The Great Pavilion celebrates plants’ role in industry, community, and mental health (Heath, 2022). Educational exhibits in the Great Pavilion educate on current discoveries in horticultural science. It champions the gardening role in dealing with climate change and improving mental health. With such initiatives and programs, the event has served to shape the attitude and behaviour of visitors positively by enhancing their relationship with nature. Besides this, people could become more conscious of climate change and other environment-specific issues that guide their future actions and daily practices.