Sam EmanuelIt has been running for a quarter of a century but performances of Les Mis�rables have still taken Norwich by storm, providing a massive boost to the city's economy.Sam Emanuel

It has been running for a quarter of a century but performances of Les Mis�rables have still taken Norwich by storm, providing a massive boost to the city's economy.

The show, which is celebrating 25 years of international performances, has sold almost 50,000 tickets during its five-week stint at the Norwich Theatre Royal, which ends tonight.

The huge number of theatre-goers have also filled restaurants around the city since the show arrived at the theatre on Tuesday, February 16, and since then, the theatre's own restaurant has served 2529 meals and more than 800 buffet meals.

John Bultitude, spokesman for the theatre, said: 'It's difficult to compare to previous shows because prices and occupancy have varied over the years, but it is definitely one of the most successful shows we've ever had here.

'There have been people turning up to get returns on the door at many performances. We have sold more than 47,900 tickets and 9,000 programmes.'

Helen Sprason, operations manager at Mackintosh's Canteen, said that the restaurant there had noticed a huge increase in custom as a result of the Les Mis�rables performances.

She said: 'It's been phenomenal here - each week Les Mis�rables has been on it's brought us in 600 extra customers, and that's just between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

'We are quite lucky in terms of where we are because we always get a lot of theatre trade, but it really has been exceptional. It's a real shame it's ending really!'

Cloe Wasey, assistant general manager at The Assembly House, added: 'It's been majorly busy - we've had quite a high footfall and the restaurant has been full every night and overflowing at weekends. It's been fantastic. We've been doing special pre-theatre meals between 5pm and 7pm, which has been really popular, and as the show is Les Mis�rables the food is classic French-themed.'

The musical first opened on October 8, 1985, at the Barbican Theatre in London, and since then, Les Mis�rables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Sch�nberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer has travelled the globe and won several major awards throughout the world.

Are you organising an event which will boost the city's economy? Call Sam Emanuel on 01603 772438 or email sam.emanuel@archant.co.uk.