This is Bristol --BRISTOL has seen a flood of tourists this summer, with visitor numbers more than doubling – thanks to Gromit.
The city's animated hero has sent the figures rocketing as people come to follow the Gromit Unleashed trail.
The city's museums have seen a 65 per cent increase in the number of visitors through their doors this summer compared to last, shops and restaurants have seen a rise in customers while Bristol's tourist information centre has seen more than double the number of people through its doors.
Most of the businesses and organisations that are seeing a boost in visitors are crediting the Gromits. The giant decorated dogs were unleashed on the streets of Bristol at the end of June for the 10-week arts trail organised by charity the Grand Appeal and animation firm Aardman.
Since then Gromit fever has swept through the city, with people trying to tick all 80 5ft Gromits off the list before they are auctioned off for Bristol Children's Hospital.
And the Bristol Post has learned that there has been international interest in bidding for the statues when the auction takes place.
The Gromit Unleashed shop and exhibition at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway – where the sculpture decorated by One Direction's Zayn Malik is located – has welcomed about 2,000 people a day, about 100,000 people have visited the sculpture and shop opposite the children's hospital and 30,000 people have downloaded the Detect-o-Gromit smart phone app.
Stanfords map and bookshop has seen the number of people through the doors of its Corn Street shop treble since its Gromit Nezahualcoyotl was unveiled; on some weekends there have been so many that staff have had to restrict entry.
Manager Caroline Bowler said: "We do have lots of nice things and people do seem to look in the shop. There are a lot of tourists coming in from all over the world, as well as local people, and lots of children who want to buy little things. People are discovering the shop."
Tyntesfield in Wraxall has been very busy since Diarmuid Gavin's Oops a Daisy Gromit went on display. While many people have been stopping off specifically to visit the Gromit Unleashed sculpture before finding the next one, spokesman Allan King said there had also been a 12 per cent increase in visitors this year compared to last.
He said the increase could be a result of the improved weather but added: "There is no doubt that an awful lot of people are coming to see Gromit and it has been fantastic to have him here this year."
Approximate figures from Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and M shed – which have also hosted a number of special exhibitions in addition to their Gromits – show visitor numbers up from 88,470 in July last year to 146,280 this year – an increase of 65 per cent.
City council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt said: "Bristol's museums, galleries and archives are home to outstanding collections, which are always popular with visitors.
"And of course, we have been delighted to be part of the hugely successful and incredibly popular, Gromit Unleashed trail – and have been thrilled to welcome thousands of extra visitors to both M shed and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery."
At-Bristol, which is one of the passport stops on the trail, has seen 14 per cent more visitors than it would have expected so far this summer.
Most of its Gromit-making workshops are fully-booked and its related merchandise frequently sells out.
Donna Speed, At-Bristol's commercial director said: "The foyer is constantly buzzing with people, and sales of Gromit Unleashed merchandise are still going strong."
Bars and restaurants on the Gromit Unleashed trail have also seen more people stopping off as they make their way around the trail.
At the Pump House, which is currently home to strawberry-inspired Gromberry, more people have bee stopping off for refreshments during the day. Staff estimate that about 10 per cent of people who visit the Gromit also stop for a drink.
Restaurant Spyglass, which hosts repaired Gromit statue Carosello in Welsh Back has seen more families since the trail started.
Kelly Ballard, of Destination Bristol, said the summer had seen a 130 per cent increase in visitors to the city's tourist information centre on the Harbourside, which is a passport stop on the trail.
"We would definitely put the increase down to Gromit Unleashed," she said.
Ms Ballard said it was too early to measure the impact Gromit Unleashed will have on the city, which is generally on the up a tourist destination, and its economy.
Nicola Masters, director of the Grand Appeal, which is behind the trail, said: "It is lovely as a charity to support Bristol Children's Hospital. If we can do anything to engage and enliven the city of Bristol and help the economy with what we are doing, we are absolutely delighted." Reported by This is 15 minutes ago.