Eden Project 'contributes £6.8bn to local economy'

The Eden Project has given the local economy a £6.8bn boost since it opened a quarter of a century ago, the attraction has said.

A report released to mark St Piran's Day, and just before Eden's 25th birthday on 17 March, analyses the contribution it has made to the South West economy since opening in a former clay pit near St Austell, Cornwall.

Eden said the report "celebrates the success of the charity which reconnects people with nature to inspire wonder".

The trust saidit generated £8.4bn in visitor spend and supported an average of 700 jobs each year. It said it had delivered £6.8bn in total economic impact and £5.7bn additional economic impact for the county since opening in 2001.

The trust said it had welcomed more than 25 million visitors to the site, with 80% travelling in from outside of the county, over the last 25 years.

Andy Jasper, chief executive of the Eden Project, delivered the report to Westminster to demonstrate the value of nature-based investment.

He said: "The Eden Project unearths the wonder of the natural world and enriches life through positive action for the planet.

"This impact report is proof of the difference it makes and demonstrates that investing in nature, culture and education is not a luxury – it is a blueprint for economic growth.

"A quarter of a century since opening with a bold mission and hope for the future, Eden has helped reshape Cornwall's economy, drawing millions of visitors, supporting hundreds of jobs and creating opportunities that simply did not exist 25 years ago.

"The lesson is clear: Long-term investment in people and place works. If we are serious about sustainable growth, we must be equally serious about backing ambitious regeneration.

"Just as any successful garden requires seeds, structure, time and sustained care, so too does our economy.

"Long-term investment by Westminster in people, place and nature-based regeneration is essential to unlocking Britain's full potential."

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