Indeed, Councillor, but the £5M could as well be an underestimate as an overestimate . . . .

Also the stories about Sidmouth pubs taking as much money in Sidmouth week as they do in the rest of the year may well be apochrophal (ok, I can't spell) . . . .

However across the years I have had several conversations with a mix of Sidmouth traders who have said that the Festival week is a very major contribution to their overall profitability.

Slightly perversely, those traders are probably rather less affected by bad weather years than is the festival itself. The pre-booked punters (mainly and except in dire extremis) stick it out. Whereas the 'casual' visitors on whom the Festival is so dependent are also the ones who are more likely to drive to the Arena car park, spend some money in the various stalls in the showground, and go home without making much contribution to the local businesses.

(I'm not making a point on any 'side' here - just throwing a few thoughts into the mix.)