Record visitor numbers for Ludlow in 2012 (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Record visitor numbers for Ludlow in 2012

8:00am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Adrian Kibbler

LUDLOW has defied the awful summer and attracted a record number of visitors.

Angela Linsday, manager of the town’s visitor information centre has described the performance as “amazing.”

The figures show that between April and September 100,000 people came into the information centre – 2,000 more than in 2011, which was itself a record year.

But it represents a massive rise on the 83,000 during the same period in 2010.

However, the growth in visitors this year was in the face of the wettest June for generations.

“It was very bad in June when we had 2,000 fewer visitors than a year earlier but things recovered dramatically in August,” said Angela “During August we had 25,000 visitors compared with 21,000 in that month last year and 17,000 in 2010.

“I really cannot explain why things had been so good and had expected numbers to be well down.

“June was a washout and a disaster for Ludlow Festival.”

Ludlow Festival was badly hit by the weather with one of the showpiece performances of Much Ado About Nothing in the Castle grounds having to be cancelled following torrential rain.

After making a loss, organisers are looking at their options for 2013.

“After a brilliant August we had a good September with the Food Festival, and the visit from The Prince of Wales also helped,” said Angela.

She still feels last year’s BBC programme Town, featuring Ludlow and presented by Nicholas Crane, is still helping to bring in tourists, after reaching a global audience.

Now all eyes are on the possibility of a strong final quarter.

The main event will be the Medieval Fair at the end of November when the Christmas lights are turned on. It’s hoped up to 20,000 visitors will come to the town.