Beaulieu's International Autojumble Brings Boost To Local Economy

BEAULIEU – Marc 8, 2013: A study by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), in association with the University of Brighton Business School, has found that the annual Beaulieu International Autojumble creates a local economic benefit of £3 million to the New Forest area, particularly significant given that tourism and leisure play such an important role in the region’s economy.

The event, which has been running since 1967, is held over three days in September and is responsible for over £11 million turnover for the national economy and contributes over half a million pounds to the UK Treasury through VAT. It provides direct temporary employment in the region for over 220 people and also benefits local hotels and guest houses, being directly responsible for over 11,000 overnight accommodation bookings.

Lord Montagu, who is president of FBHVC said: “A survey undertaken by the FBHVC in 2011, in conjunction with the Historic Vehicle Research Institute, showed that the hobby of preserving and using historic vehicles generates over £4 billion turnover for the British economy each year and supports employment for over 28,000 people.

“Knowing that the team involved had also done an economic impact study on the 2010 London to Brighton veteran car run showing that it created over £1 million of economic benefit to the City of Brighton and Hove, I took the opportunity to ask if they might undertake a similar exercise to see how much of a contribution the annual Beaulieu International Autojumble makes towards that overall £4 billion total – and, more importantly, to the local economy.”

At a presentation of the report’s results, attended by New Forest MPs Julian Lewis and Desmond Swayne, Geoff Smith, vice-president of FBHVC said: “This latest in a series of economic impact studies commissioned by FBHVC, highlights the economic significance to a local community such as the New Forest area, of historic vehicles and the industry that supports their preservation. Vehicles from the past are not only part of our heritage but significant economic contributors in the present.”

Lord Montagu concluded: “This report into one weekend’s activity shows how that simple idea from over 40 years ago has developed and grown into a significant annual event that both supports the needs of the historic vehicle community and provides substantial benefit for the local economy. It is an event of which we at Beaulieu are very proud.”