Elton concert bonus at Holkham Hall
WHEN the sun goes down on Elton John's concert at Holkham Hall next month, fans who enjoyed an unforgettable show in a stunning setting won't be the only winners.
Up to 20,000 people will be flooding into the area for the one-night performance on Sunday, June 14, creating a mini tourism boom and widely raising the profile of Holkham and the north west Norfolk coast.
The owner of the Hall, Lord Coke, said: "Elton John is one of the big catches. We are very excited about the concert and it really has boosted business, which is great."
Holkham has previously been the venue for concerts by big names and contrasting performers including Jools Holland, Jose Carreras, Status Quo and Girls Aloud.
Lord Coke said: "Judging by previous concerts, tickets sold across East Anglia, although I did talk to a great Carreras fan from Bath. I have also come across some people from Leicester who are coming to see Elton John."
The fact that the concert is on a Sunday was seen as another benefit.
"Most people going away for the weekend and wanting to stay in a pub, hotel or guest house will pick Friday and Saturday nights," he said. By Sunday night, there were usually lots of vacancies but Lord Coke predicted: "That won't be the case on June 14."
The Victoria at Holkham and the Globe Inn at Wells, both owned by the estate, were booked up within a week of the announcement being made in December that Elton John was to appear.
The PR spokesman for the Hoste Arms at nearby Burnham Market, Sarah Eddison, said: "For the weekend of the concert we have just one room left, with many of the rooms having been booked in December and early January. We are pleased that several concert-goers have chosen to make a North Norfolk weekend of it. Guests can enjoy all that the Hoste Arms has on offer as well as the excitement of seeing Elton John live in concert in such a beautiful setting."
Eight miles along the coast at the Titchwell Manor Hotel, receptionist Leah Griffin said: "We have had quite a few bookings from people who have said they are going to the Elton John concert and we still have rooms available."
Lord Coke said he had not yet met or spoken to the star and was not sure how he heard about Holkham. Elton previously gave a concert at Carrow Road in Norwich and Lord Coke said: "He wanted to come to Norfolk again. He also likes the idea of performing in the grounds of a stately home. He has done it before at Woburn Abbey and other places."
Holkham Hall is costly to upkeep with basic staff, heating and electricity costs amounting to more than 250,000 a year. Lord Coke said: "There is quite a responsibility for me there and hence the need for us to look at alternative ways to earn income to keep this great house going. Years ago it was just farming, but things have changed."
There are various projects on-going in the house and he has it in mind to restore the Victorian game larders. "When members of the public walk in the garden they go through the game larder to get to the pottery shop yard. However, the restoration cost will sadly far outweigh any income from the Elton John concert,” he said.
The “picnic-style” concert is being held in the cricket pitch area in front of the hall. Guest singer Richard Fleeshman, formerly Craig Harris in Coronation Street, is due to take the stage at 5pm followed by Elton at 6pm.
Tickets, not available from Holkham Hall, cost 60. For more information, telephone 0871 231 0835, 0844 847 2493, 0844 338 8000 or go to www.seetick ets.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.theticketfactory.com
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
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