Thousands visit as dinosaurs roam and traders report strong takings
Coleraine town centre experienced a notable rise in footfall and spending on Saturday as Jurassic Dino Day attracted thousands of visitors, organisers and traders said. The family-oriented event, organised by Coleraine Connect, spread activities across the town and combined roaming dinosaur attractions, live entertainment and business-led promotions.
Rather than concentrating the programme in a single location, organisers deliberately encouraged shops and venues throughout Coleraine to stage their own themed offers and activities. As a result, businesses in different parts of the town reported higher sales and increased visitor attention.
- The Orchard recorded a 62% increase in sales compared with the previous Saturday and approximately 39% compared with the same day last year; its Dino Ice Cream Cups completely sold out.
- A separate town-centre retailer reported sales were 56% higher than the same Saturday last year.
- Other businesses reported uplifts of around 20% compared with typical trading for a Saturday.
Retailers described a tangible return of bustle to the shopping area. Gems Jewellers called it a “brilliant” day of trading, praising the atmosphere and crowds for bringing renewed energy to Coleraine. Snappy Snaps said it was exceptionally busy, with families queuing for a Dino Selfie Station and free photographs; staff also reported that many customers discovered the shop for the first time and planned to return.
“Dino Day was never intended to be something that simply happened in one space. We wanted people to explore the town, visit local businesses and enjoy an event that benefited the whole centre,” said Coleraine Connect’s BID manager, Annie SID.
The event featured giant roaming dinosaurs, baby dinosaurs, a Fossil Museum, face painting, live entertainment and a headline Q Radio Roadshow. Photographs supplied by organisers showed Causeway Coast and Glens Mayor, Councillor Dawn Huggins, leading the Blu velociraptor through town; media coverage noted the involvement of actor James Nesbitt as part of the town’s promotional activity.
| Business | Reported change vs previous Saturday / last year | Notable activity |
|---|---|---|
| The Orchard | +62% vs previous Saturday / ~+39% vs last year | Dino Ice Cream Cups sold out |
| Unnamed retailer | +56% vs same Saturday last year | General retail sales increase |
| Multiple traders | ~+20% | Event-related footfall and promotions |
Wider benefits and local ambitions
Organisers and traders said the event’s structure — distributing attractions across the town rather than concentrating them in a single hub — encouraged families to explore different streets and independent businesses. The Q Radio Roadshow added music, entertainment and giveaways in the town’s heart, contributing to the festival atmosphere and drawing additional visitors.
For small and independent traders, such spikes in footfall can boost revenue and attract new customers. Snappy Snaps’ experience of families discovering the shop for the first time illustrates how event-led visitors can translate into potential repeat custom.
The involvement of civic leaders and headline attractions also offered a publicity boost for Coleraine. Councillor Dawn Huggins, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, was visible taking part in the parade-style elements of the day, helping to raise the event’s profile.
Looking ahead
Coleraine Connect said the intention behind Jurassic Dino Day was to create a sustainable model for town-centre events that supports multiple traders and spreads economic benefits across the retail area. If the reported sales uplifts are sustained by repeat visits or follow-up spending, local retailers could see longer-term advantages from the attention the town received on the day.
For residents and traders, the event offered a reminder of the potential of town-centre programming to revive footfall and showcase independent businesses. Coleraine Connect and local partners will now assess the outcomes and consider whether similar distributed-event models can be repeated to support the local economy.
