Southsea Food Festival 2025 has delivered an economic win for Portsmouth, generating an impressive £1.52 million for the local economy, according to an independent impact study by local research company Evosa.

This Portsmouth City Council event also saw a record-breaking attendance, with 63,400 visitors flocking to Southsea over two days. The research revealed that almost  half of surveyed attendees came specifically for the festival, and 38% said they plan to return to visit Southsea businesses as a direct result of their visit.

This year’s event also saw a record 80 businesses take part, with more than half based in Portsmouth, showcasing the strength and diversity of the local food scene. Both traders and visitors were glowing in their praise for the food festival, with 92% and 94% respectively rating it as either good or excellent.

The festival’s growing reputation as a regional attraction was further confirmed by the fact that 30% of visitors travelled from outside Portsmouth, highlighting its role as a key driver of the city’s visitor economy.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Southsea Food Festival is a brilliant example of how we can support local businesses while attracting thousands of visitors to our city. The £1.5 million boost to our economy shows just how valuable events like this are—not just for traders, but for the wider business community. We’re proud to see Southsea shine as a destination for food lovers from across the region.”

Now in its 17th year, Southsea Food Festival has evolved into one of the South Coast’s largest and most loved food events. A new addition for 2025 was the Kitchen Stage, where chefs and restaurateurs from local favourites including Smoke and Mirrors, The Briny, and Natty’s (Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year) wowed crowds with live demonstrations.

Held in the heart of Southsea, the festival transformed Palmerston Road precinct, Avenue De Caen, and surrounding high streets into a vibrant celebration of food and community. Visitors enjoyed everything from smokehouse brisket and soft shell crab to vegan delights and Portsmouth’s award-winning aged rum.

The festival is part of Portsmouth City Council’s wider programme to support small businesses and promote the city’s thriving independent food and retail sectors.

Planning is already underway for Southsea Food Festival 2026, which will return in July next year.