NE1's Restaurant Week breaks its records: 60,000 diners, 130-plus venues, £1.2m in menu sales

Newcastle's big set-menu dining week has just posted its best results. NE1's Newcastle Restaurant Week, which ran from 3 to 9 August, drew more than 60,000 diners to more than 130 restaurants, the most venues in its 15-year history, the business improvement district NE1 reports.

Sales of the special Restaurant Week menus alone came to more than £1.2m for participating venues. NE1 points out that drinks, sides and full-price dishes aren't included, so total spend was higher. Newcomer Cocochine took part for the first time and says it had full covers most lunchtimes and evenings.

NE1's summer programme as a whole also set records: more than 215,000 people at its events, with an economic boost NE1 puts at around £4m. The Dragon Boat Race alone drew more than 22,000 spectators to the Quayside.

For your venue: a city-wide event like this can fill the diary, as long as the set menu earns its keep. Cost the menu properly, so food cost stays on target at the event price, and train the team to sell drinks and sides, which is where the margin is. If you've never taken part, ask NE1 about the next edition now. Cocochine got in touch before it had even opened.