A new report commissioned by the BBC has revealed that Radio 2 in the Park, held at Hylands Park in September 2025, delivered a major economic boost for Chelmsford — generating an estimated £4.1 million for the local economy.
The flagship live music event from BBC Radio 2 took place from 5–7 September 2025 and welcomed tens of thousands of music fans to Hylands Park for a weekend of performances from some of the biggest names in music.
Artists appearing at the festival included Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Jessie J, Olly Murs and Stereophonics. BBC Radio 2 presenters also hosted DJ sets throughout the weekend, adding to the festival atmosphere.
Tourism Boost for Chelmsford Businesses
The event attracted visitors from across the UK, with 84% of attendees travelling from outside Chelmsford and the surrounding area. This influx of visitors created a surge in tourism activity across the city.
Around one in five visitors explored Chelmsford beyond the festival, with many dining in local restaurants, visiting shops and exploring the city centre. A significant number of visitors also stayed overnight in local accommodation, generating an estimated £370,000 in revenue for Chelmsford’s hotel sector.
When combined with spending by organisers, suppliers and locally employed staff, the overall economic impact of the event reached £4.1 million. This figure excludes spending by Chelmsford residents, who were estimated to have spent a further £458,000 during the festival weekend.
Opportunities for Local Businesses
In addition to increased footfall across the city, several local traders were selected to operate directly at the festival site.
One of those businesses, Chelmsford-based food vendor Shwings, was given a pitch in the VIP area of the event. The company reported strong sales across the weekend and said the festival introduced the brand to many new customers from outside the region.
Visitors Praise Organisation and Atmosphere
The economic and visitor impact of the event was analysed by research consultancy M.E.L Research, which also surveyed festival goers about their experience.
The results showed extremely high satisfaction levels, with 97% of visitors saying they were satisfied with the event and 76% reporting they were very satisfied.
Feedback shared on social media also praised the organisation of the event, with some attendees describing it as one of the best-run festivals they had attended.
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said the event demonstrated the value of major live music festivals for host cities, highlighting the benefits for local businesses, hospitality and jobs.
Hylands Park Set for More Major Festivals
Following the success of Radio 2 in the Park, Hylands Park is preparing to welcome another major music festival in summer 2026.
The brand-new State Fayre festival will take place from 26–28 June 2026, bringing a mix of rock, Americana and folk artists to Chelmsford. The line-up already includes Kings of Leon, The Lumineers, The Black Crowes, Alanis Morissette, Razorlight and Jack Savoretti.
With major events continuing to attract visitors from across the country, Chelmsford is increasingly establishing itself as an important destination for live music and large-scale festivals.