Businesses should get on their bikes to benefit from Tour de France

BUSINESSES not directly on the route of the Tour de France through Yorkshire can still benefit from the opportunities that the greatest free sporting event in the world will bring to the region.

At an event last night hosted by Barclays and the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, Bradford firms were urged to start shaping their plans for growth this year, looking at the opportunities the anticipated influx of more than three million visitors to the region will bring.

Around 150 business people attended the event at the Alhambra theatre where Peter Dodd, marketing director of Welcome to Yorkshire,  encouraged all businesses to think about not just the opportunities but the impact on the weekend of the race for deliveries, staffing and customers.

The tourist agency already has hints and tips together with resources available on its website for businesses to use as the region gears up for the iconic event on July 5 and 6 this year.

Amjad Pervez, president of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, said: “As someone that is passionate about Bradford we really need to encourage businesses to start thinking creatively and think about what opportunities the TDF will bring for their business. The interactive map on the official site for the Grand Depart is a fantastic tool for businesses to use to not only check the route but see what other activities are happening as the race passes through each location.”

Caroline Pullich, Barclays head of business banking Yorkshire and the North East said: “Planning ahead is the key to any successful business and all Yorkshire businesses should be reviewing their plans right now for the Tour de France 2014. We are working hard to make sure all our customers make the most of this fantastic opportunity which will showcase Yorkshire to 190 countries around the world – we’ll never get a better opportunity to show the world just how great Yorkshire is.”