Warrnambool’s inaugural Oktoberfest helped deliver a spike in retail spending, new data has revealed.

Spending on dining and entertainment was up in Warrnambool on October 5, 6 and 7 last year compared to the corresponding three-day periods in 2016 and 2017.

The action-packed weekend also included a regional gymnastics championships, flower shows, the City of Warrnambool Art Show and the Warrnambool BMX Classic.

“The retail spending data strongly suggests the Oktoberfest event, which attracted 1500 patrons, combined with the other events across the weekend, delivered a great boost to the city’s economy,” Warrnambool Mayor Cr Tony Herbert said.

“Along with the increase in spending on dining and entertainment, on the day after Oktoberfest, October 7, there was a spike in spending in other retail categories including clothing and special and luxury goods.

On October 6 spending on dining and entertainment was up 50 per cent on the average spend that day in 2016, 2017 while on Sunday spending on clothing was up 24 per cent and special and luxury goods, 38 per cent.

“We know that Oktoberfest was well received and the findings suggest that the benefits of having this event along the foreshore extended across the city.”

Oktoberfest was brought to Warrnambool by former resident Jordan Thulborn with support provided from Warrnambool City Council through its Events Strategy, which was adopted by Council in mid-2018.

“This was the first event delivered to the city following the adoption of the new Events Strategy which aims to have a more diverse mix of events across the calendar year,” Cr Herbert said.

“Oktoberfest was also an effective use of the Shipwreck Bay Holiday Park during the shoulder season and prior to it being opened for camping ahead of summer.”

Economic oom-pah