Last updated at 12:44, Monday, 15 June 2009

TOURISM in Ulverston has rocketed by 100 per cent since the Laurel and Hardy statue was unveiled earlier this year.

Visitors have been stopping to have photos taken with the comedy pair at all times of the day since the bronze likeness was revealed by comic Ken Dodd on April 19, according to staff at the town’s Tourist Information Centre.

Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston in 1890, but interest in the town’s most famous son and his sidekick has hit fever pitch since the statue unveiling was screened around the world.

Janet Ridal, manager of the Coronation Hall, where the TIC is based, said: “The numbers have increased by 200 per day to 400 and more on bank holidays and we are constantly re-stocking our Laurel and Hardy souvenirs. We are certain the summer holidays will bring more visitors.”

Huge numbers of the Sons of the Desert, the official international Stan and Ollie fan club, descended on the newly developed County Square, where the statue is located, in April to see the £60,000 creation they paid for.

And many of them returned two weeks later to be part of the official opening of the Laurel and Hardy Museum, which relocated from Upper Brook Street into the Roxy in Brogden Street.

Museum owner Marion Graves says the change of scenery, coupled with the statue, has proved a revelation.

She said: “The move to our new premises at the Roxy Cinema Complex together with the installation of the statue has meant that we are 100 per cent busier that we were which is very good news”

Jayne Kendall, the South Lakeland District Council regeneration manager behind the County Square and statue enhancement scheme, said “The idea behind the installation of the statue was all about bringing more people to Ulverston. Hopefully it also means that they are spending money in the businesses in the area”

A visitor book will shortly be opened in the TIC office.

Staff have reported visitors coming from all over the UK, plus tourists from Germany, Holland, Australia and America.

First published at 11:33, Monday, 15 June 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk