Leaflet business grows from Portsmouth's increase in events

And they have boosted the local economy by millions of pounds – benefitting hundreds of local businesses.

One company that has seen success and growth on the back of these events is UK Flyers, based at Victory House in Somers Road North, Landport.

The print and design business was set up 20 years ago by Jay Dunstan and two friends.

Jay, 46, from Milton, said: ‘We started in 1996, from a background of nightclub and gig promotion.

‘We were running events on South Parade Pier. We needed great, eye-catching publicity to promote our events but we found that no-one offered what we needed.

‘This was the days pre-internet, so we set up our own business to do it all ourselves.

‘People liked what we did, other businesses liked what we did, and we went from strength to strength.

‘We employed designers and a sales team and have been providing work nationwide ever since.

‘The marketplace has changed over the years with the arrival of the internet, and the changing pub and club scene, and our portfolio of work has been varied from flyers and posters to banners and signage, but brochures, flags, and clothing too.’

The business now employs 10 people – and has never been busier thanks to the events being held in the city.

Jay said: ‘As well as being the print partner for Victorious and operational print partner for Team Origin and the America’s Cup, we have done design and print for the Historic Dockyard, the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth Guildhall, the Wedgewood Rooms, Mutiny and Blissfields Festival. It has never been so busy.’

As well as local events, the company has been printing for national names such as Live Nation and McCain. It has also been creating leaflets for nightclubs in Ibiza, and even printed unusual gold business cards for a Nigerian company. Jay said he believes it’s the level of service at UK Flyers that sets them apart from their competitors.

He said: ‘Customer service is vital to us, every order gets the personal touch – that’s one of our huge strengths over internet-based competitors.

‘We are not a call centre and know valuable it is for someone to be able to pick up the phone and speak to a person.’