Businesses 'benefiting' from Radio 1's Big Weekend

Thousands of music fans have descended on Liverpool for Radio 1's Big Weekend.

The festival, taking place in Sefton Park, has brought visitors from across the country and businesses in the area say they are benefiting from the increase in footfall.

Sophie Peers and Eve Mansfield opened Gran Caffé on Lark Lane last year and said it had been the "best business move" due to the traffic from the events at the park.

The pair said they had installed a new coffee machine ahead of this weekend's event.

"It's so busy, when they walk past and they see the cakes it draws them in," they said.

"These big events are so important for us, everyone's come from around the country. I've had people say they had to get hotels in Manchester because it's so busy in Liverpool.

"It's so important for us to have this amount of footfall."

Kiera Bowe from Doogles Donuts said festival-goers had been popping into her shop for a sweet treat on the way to or from the event.

"You can always tell when something is happening as it gets so much busier," she said.

She said there was "more of a buzz" when there was an event on at the park, which created a good atmosphere on Lark Lane.

"It's a really lovely place, it's a nice community environment to be involved in. It's dead positive."

Traders at Lark Lane farmers' market say they are are also benefiting from the festival traffic.

Peter Gill creates customised pop culture dolls and sells them online and locally.

He said he worked at the market every month and there was a "really good buzz" when events were on.

"It's been really good, it's been really busy. Everyone loves it and they're all up for the music," he said.

"I was watching a bit on the telly last night, Tom Grennan was amazing I'm working today but I'll have a look round the park afterwards."

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