'Significant amount' of Tour of Britain 2022 will pass through Newark and Sherwood
A significant amount of the Tour of Britain 2022 will pass through Newark and Sherwood, it has been confirmed.
Nottinghamshire successfully hosted a stage of the Tour of Britain in 2017 and 2018 and will once again host a leg of the premier professional cycling event this September.
Stage five will take place on Thursday, September 8, and will cover around 175kms of the county’s road network — with a large amount of the racing taking place in Newark and Sherwood.
To secure the tour, a stage hosting fee of £180,000 is required — with a £10,000 contribution from Newark and Sherwood District Council, with an officer working to deliver an outstanding event that ensures the maximum profile and benefit to the area.
Council papers state the benefit to the district was tri-fold. In the first instance, the event will generate visitors and additional spend in the local community while, secondly, through tv coverage, the county will be showcased to an international audience and, thirdly, it will provide an opportunity for local communities to engage with the tour and welcome riders as they pass through — as well as being part of a unique sporting experience.
Speaking at a district economic development committee, member Paul Peacock said it was great news to hear the Tour of Britain was to return and that it would pass through Edwinstowe.
“We went out of our way to support the race last time, we lined the short of the race with lots of school children and everyone came out with flags to make some noise and created a bit of a party atmosphere,” he said.
“It was very well-received so the point I’m coming to is, with it coming through Notts for the next two years at least, is there any scope in having Edwinstowe — more specifically the RSPB centre at Sherwood Forest — as a starting point?
“I know there’s a cost associated with that but I think that would be a great starting point of the leg through Newark and Sherwood.”
Chairman Keith Girling agreed and if the council could influence that, then it would do and the committee gave its backing.
He said: “I know we had the finish in Newark last time and it was packed, I mean packed — what the economic benefit of that was I don’t know, but I bet the pubs did well.”
Matt Lamb, director of planning and growth at the council, said: “The ability to influence comes at a price, you pay more for the privilege.”
The committee gave its financial backing.
The hosting of the event is a partnership between the Tour of Britain Team, Sweetspot Promotions and Nottinghamshire County Council.
