ROYAL ASCOT in York raked in an extra £23 million for the city's economy, according to an official report.

Almost 225,000 people attended the prestigious meeting, including 33,500 York residents, with 102,700 visits by day race-goers, and 88,300 by the 52,000 punters who stayed overnight.

York hotels and guest houses had 66,500 bookings, while 28,000 were made outside the city, and 31,700 people stayed with friends and relatives.

In addition, 6,000 people a day worked on the racecourse, including security staff, caterers, bookmakers and litter pickers.

"One week of Ascot generated as much local revenue to York as tourism normally generates in a month," said Ian Tempest, City of York Council's economic development officer.

His report, highlighting the impact of Royal Ascot on York, will go before the council's economic development board on Tuesday, September, 27.

He stated: "Royal Ascot has given a very timely and significant boost to the city's economy, with at least £23 million being spent in York as a direct consequence of the race meeting."

He said the five-day meeting had the potential to generate at least £50 million.

A thousand members of the media covered the event, helping to raise York and Yorkshire's profile as a "can-do, international destination, capable of managing a major showpiece event".

A poll of visitors revealed that 99 per cent would return, with 68 per cent saying they would do so at least once a year.

"It is certain that many of the 155,000 race goers who visited York will return and spend money in the city," said Mr Tempest.

It is hoped a £45,000 post-Ascot marketing campaign this autumn will pull in even more visitors, while residents have said they would welcome other international events.

But the report said that racegoers were likely to spend 50 per cent of their cash at the races themselves, unlike typical visitors, who spend most of their cash shopping.

Ninety-one per cent of retailers reported turnover had been below expectations - on the back of a fall in trade for 40 to 55 per cent of traders in the first two quarters of 2005.

More than half agreed the perception of York as expensive for accommodation might have hit business.

They also felt the fear of traffic congestion made people avoid the city, while some thought the traffic plan used during the event had an impact.

Yorkshire Tourist Board figures for Ascot week also showed room occupancy in York was down by ten per cent, and bed occupancy by two per cent.

This was partly because more racegoers than expected came from Yorkshire, travelling short distances, while some stayed away because of the perception that York hotels were costly and had increased prices for the event.

Updated: 09:34 Monday, September 19, 2005