Producers for ABBA Voyage have revealed the analysis of its year one socio-economic impact on London and the local community.
Compiled and assessed by global research and strategy consultancy Sound Diplomacy and social value consultancy RealWorth, the report covers the first operational year of ABBA Voyage (May 2022 – May 2023), with the intention to be repeated annually. This report also includes a one-off analysis of the period of construction for the ABBA Arena.
Created with Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, directed by Baillie Walsh, and produced by Svana Gisla and Ludvig Andersson, ABBA Voyage has been globally celebrated as a landmark event in music and entertainment since opening on 26 May 2022 to rave reviews; bringing together the physical and the digital in a first-of-its-kind live concert experience that in this first year of operation, saw over 1 million visitors, 20% of which had travelled from outside of the UK.
The analysis shows that ABBA Voyage has had a significant and positive economic and social impact on London and the local area (the boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest; closest to the Arena location in Pudding Mill Lane). The operation and attendee spending are ongoing generators of economic contribution to the local and city-wide economies, demonstrating that as long as ABBA Voyage is in London, it has the potential to contribute to the economic wealth of the city.
Michael Bolingbroke, Chief Executive Office/Executive Producer for ABBA Voyage said, “The presence of ABBA Voyage is felt in a way that will be enduring. Knowing that in our first full year, the operations of ABBA Voyage has had an economic impact in London of £322 million is extraordinary, and our challenge will be to maintain and grow this number, and to ensure that its effects are long lasting.”
Svana Gisla and Ludvig Andersson, Producers for ABBA Voyage, said, “It was imperative to us as Producers, and to ABBA, that ABBA Voyage would leave a positive impact on our local community in Stratford and the findings of this report have only surpassed what we could have hoped for. We are proud residents of east London and to be able to employ locally, and enhance the local economy is as joyful to us as the concert itself. We fully intend to continue to evolve our education scheme to provide access and opportunities to young people in our area, and hopefully inspire them to choose the creative sector for their future employment.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, “The fantastic success of ABBA Voyage shows once again how London is the music capital of the world and is roaring back from the impact of the pandemic. I am so proud that City Hall was able to help ABBA bring this pioneering show to east London, providing huge benefits to both the local area and London’s wider economy. It is a powerful example of how culture has a positive impact on our city, supporting jobs and a range of other industries. The show’s success is testament to the group’s enduring appeal and I hope it will continue to delight audiences and help enrich the local economy for years to come, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Lyn Garner, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation said, “ABBA Voyage has been an amazing success for the area and a vibrant addition to the attractions on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This innovative use of our development land has resulted in one of London’s best and most popular visitor attractions with a massive impact on the local economy and jobs. There has been great work on education and skills for local children while the huge footfall and improved lighting have helped to improve community safety, too.”
The full report is available upon request.
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