Saffron Hall's Social and Economic Impact

Find out more about a study we commissioned to measure our social and economic impact in Saffron Walden and beyond.

Saffron Hall Trust commissioned Stephen Connolly at DC Research to study box office data and survey members of the audience to determine the impact Saffron Hall has on Saffron Walden and Uttlesford. The impact has been measured using nationally and internationally recognised methodology from organisations such as DCMS and the HM Treasury Green Book.

Saffron Hall brings in £1.36 million for the local economy

The overall gross economic impact of Saffron Hall in 21/22 on the Saffron Walden and Uttlesford economies was £1.36 million GVA (Gross Value Added).

Local Economy

  • The overall gross economic impact of Saffron Hall in 21/22 on the Saffron Walden and Uttlesford economies was £1.36 million GVA (Gross Value Added)
  • This included an estimated off-site visitor spend of almost £0.5 million in Saffron Walden
  • The overall net additional economic impact for Saffron Hall in 21/22 on the Saffron Walden and Uttlesford economies was £688,700. This is the scale of the impact that would not have occurred in the absence of Saffron Hall. This included the creation of an additional 5.6 full time equivalent jobs in the wider Uttlesford community.
  • Saffron Hall employed a total of 68 staff in 21/22. It is estimated that this employment equated to 18.6 FTE jobs
  • The audience survey revealed that 85% of those who live outside of Uttlesford reported that Saffron Hall was the only or main reason to return to Saffron Walden in the next 12 months.
Nicola Bendetti performing in a long dress with a floral pattern

Community Impact

  • On top of this Saffron Hall Trust clearly makes a notable and sustained contribution to wellbeing impacts for volunteers, schools and community participants, and amateur performers which was estimated at a value of £775,000
  • The wellbeing impact of our Learning and Participation engagement was estimated to be just over £362,000*
  • The wellbeing impact for volunteers was estimated to be £65,592^ and the wellbeing impact for amateur performers was estimated to be almost £350,000*
  • 60% of those surveyed reported that Saffron Hall had a critical or significant impact on their health and wellbeing.


* Wellbeing metric from Fujiwara (2014)
^ HM Treasury Wellbeing Guidance for Appraisal: Supplementary Green Book Guidance

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