Whether your New Year crept in quietly or came in with a bang and the popping of the odd cork, we'd like to wish you your Happiest Year Yet! The arrival of 2025 rang in across the world with celebrations of fireworks, music, and laser shows as nations gathered in capital cities to show their celebration style to the world.

London's was spectacular, thoughtful, and creative, as for the first time the London Eye was used as a cinematic screen framed by fireworks in abundance. London's was by no means the biggest, but it was by far the most connected we saw. Viewers and 100,000 ticketed visitors were treated to a clever round-up to 2024 as the London embankment lit up the night sky and the Thames. Paddington Bear told us how London had welcomed him in as a stranger to the city, and reflections included the Paris Olympics, the England Football's UEFA result, and the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We particularly enjoyed the "Happy Birthday - to me" message displayed on the London Eye as the Eye itself turns 25. Many of us will recall its creation as part of our millennium celebrations 25 years ago today. You can watch the starting ceremony here.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, told the BBC that they wanted to try something new this year. We think it was really successful, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We hope to see this style recreated at future events.
Events such as this showcase nations' creativity and ability to host world events, so while we look at such things as entertaining, world event organisers and influencers see something else. Without a doubt, the 100,000 ticket sales at between 25-50 per person will help the mayoral purse, but we should not overlook that this year the Tube was not free as in previous years, and the 100,000 visitors will need refreshments, etc., on the evening, and many will visit other places while they are in town for this event. . Last year, the BBC’s coverage was the most watched TV programme in the UK, with many millions more watching on the iPlayer and online. The display attracts thousands of international and domestic tourists to the capital, showing the world London at its best. Analysis of City Hall’s previous events found that New Year’s Eve ticket-holders alone generate more than £14m of additional revenue for London’s businesses and economy*, not including the additional revenue generated from visitors without tickets visiting.
You might be wondering what that has to do with a town some 3.5 hours away from its capital, but it is important to our visitor economy too. Not only because Merlin Entertainments, owner of the London Eye, also owns Alton Towers, but because there are lessons we can learn to scale and create for our own visitors. There is much to do in Cheadle in 2025, and to attract visitors who are coming for another reason is something we must seek to do. Merlin is an eye-wateringly successful entertainments business, and a few crumbs from their table would do our town a power of good too.

How our businesses may have the Happiest of New Years. last updated 01.01.2025
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