• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Bedfordshire
  • Milton Keynes
  • Northamptonshire
  • London
  • Awards
    • NBEA 2023 Gallery
    • NEA 2023 Gallery
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability
    • ATB TV
ATB Logo

All Things Business

First For Local UK Business News

  • Education
  • Professional Services
    • Legal
    • Finance
    • Recruitment & HR
    • Creative Marketing
  • Property
  • Environment
    • Wellbeing
  • Industry
    • Industry
    • Manufacturing
    • Motors
    • Logistics
    • Technology
  • Events
    • Events
    • Food & Drink
    • Sport
  • News

Business booming as dinosaurs bring back the buzz to Northampton

News | July 28, 2021

The first major public event to take place in Northampton since the easing of lockdown restrictions has been hailed a ‘roaring success’ – with business booming thanks to the visit of a pack of prehistoric dinosaurs.

Europe’s biggest T Rex was one of a number of dinosaurs wowing the crowds as thousands of families flocked to Northampton town centre on Saturday.

Footfall figures show a 42 per cent week-on-week increase in visitors to the Market Square and a 27 per cent rise on the equivalent Saturday in 2019, before the pandemic struck, while Grosvenor Shopping reported a 24 per cent week-on-week rise in shoppers.

These percentage increases in footfall counts translate into thousands of extra visitors in the Market Square over and above pre-pandemic levels with many national and independent businesses also laying on their own activities and promotions to attract customers to their stores throughout the event.

Metro Bank gave out more than 300 craft bags to youngsters and reported a significant rise in visitors throughout the day.

Cosmetics chain Lush encouraged young shoppers to create their own dinosaur out of colourful, fruit-scented soaps while national fashion brand New Look laid on an in-store dinosaur trail.

The event also helped to draw people’s attention to the town’s independent shops, who relished the chance to get creative and come up with incentives to attract shoppers.

Olly Dier, owner of gaming shop and café Geek Retreat in The Ridings – which created a dinosaur-themed ‘Roarsberry Extinction’ milkshake for the occasion, said: “The event certainly brought people into the town. We saw a mix of new customers and familiar faces in the shop. It was nice to see an event in the town centre after so long in lockdown and I think similar events would do well.”

The dinosaur activities are being staged by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District as part of its ambition to make Northampton a better place to live, shop and work and form part of a refreshed calendar of activities to coincide with the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Mark Mullen, operations manager for Northampton Town Centre BID, said: “It was the busiest I have seen the town centre for a long time and a nice reminder of what life was like before all of the restrictions. Everything came together to make the event a success, including the weather. The town was absolutely buzzing.”

More than 300 families enjoyed an interactive ‘Dino Trail’ after downloading the Explore Northampton app. Users can continue to hunt for 10 friendly augmented reality dinosaurs which will come to life through smart phones in different locations around the town centre throughout the summer.

The free event kicked off three weeks of Jurassic-themed activities, and businesses are continuing to be involved over the next three weeks with cafes, restaurants and takeaways providing a range of ‘Dino Diner’ meal deals and special offers running in participating outlets until August 14.

The dinosaurs will return for a special ticketed performance at The Deco theatre on August 13 and 14.

For full information about the activities, Dino Diner meal deals and other special offers, visit www.discovernorthampton.co.uk/the-dinosaurs-are-coming-to-northampton-town-centre/.

Northamptonshire

Related stories

  • st andrews healthcare Northamptonshire
    November 29, 2023

    Patient who embraced art as part of their mental health journey to showcase work at annual festive event

    Art therapy “can change lives” when it comes to helping some people process trauma because they might not always have the words…
  • momento exclusives - make a wish Northamptonshire
    November 29, 2023

    F1 Authentics® launches Charity Auction in aid of Make A Wish ® International

    Make-A-Wish International, “A Charity supported by F1®” are celebrating their collaboration with Formula 1®with a special memorabilia auction to raise funds for…
  • Northamptonshire
    November 28, 2023

    Delapré Abbey confirms Christmas programme as site’s transformation into a winter wonderland gets underway

    The return of  the Winter Light Trail, a new Santa’s grotto, festive workshops and afternoon tea with elves – just a few…

About Rebecca Shears

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Stay up to date on All Things Business

Get the latest business round ups, stories and podcast episodes delivered straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW
Podcast Episode 42 I Awards Round Up
LISTEN NOW
Podcast Episode 41 I Our Big Week
LISTEN NOW
Podcast Episode 40 | Eamonn Holmes
previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

Online Edition

Northamptonshire edition, click here
Milton Keynes edition, click here
London edition, click here

Most Read

  • Peli BioThermal Award Success
  • Northampton Woman’s Cancer Battle Inspires Fitness Challenge To Help Raise Thousands For New Charity
  • Pallets of Hope campaign funds £27,500 worth of Christmas essentials for Northamptonshire communities facing hardship
  • Silverstone Museum Announces Appointment of New Trustees
  • Make the most of winter in Northamptonshire

Footer

REGIONS

Northamptonshire
Milton Keynes
Bedfordshire
 

COMPANY

About Us
Contact
Awards
Podcast
Knowledge Hub
Sustainability
Request A Copy

Northamptonshire Office

1 Queensbridge, Northampton,
NN4 7BF
Tel: 01604 250 900

Milton Keynes Office

The Pinnacle, 170 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes,
MK9 1BP
Tel: 01908 030 480

London Office

25 Bedford Square
London
WC1B 3HH
Tel: 0208 176 0176

Follow us on

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

All Things Business is a publication produced by Augmented Group. Registered in England No. 4904401 | Privacy Policy