THE call has gone out for more firms to get involved with the Stadium of Light’s multimillion-pound programme of summer concerts.
Sunderland AFC bosses are today hosting a meeting with businesses looking to see how they can get involved in this year’s events, which will see visits from Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
By the end of this summer, more than 650,000 people will have been to see acts perform at the Stadium of Light, spending around £42m in the local economy. Organisers worked with more than 200 firms last year.
The wider financial benefits of all those music fans flocking to Wearside even outweighs those of football, with a full season at the Stadium of Light bringing in £40m a year to the local economy.
Gary Hutchinson, Sunderland AFC’s commercial director, said: “The fact that the Stadium of Light is so highly regarded by major artists and leading concert promoters is not only great for the football club, it’s also fantastic for the wider region as thousands of new visitors are attracted into the North East.
“We’re anticipating the arrival of more than 150,000 concert-goers once again for the three shows in summer 2012, and that means a significant injection into the regional economy, with a lot of money spent on transport and across the leisure, tourism, hospitality and retail industries. Add to that 200 organisations actively participating in making the concerts happen, and our businesses will benefit to the tune of millions of pounds.”
His vision is supported by businesses and tourists groups, including the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative.
Chief executive Sarah Stewart said: “When Take That performed in May last year, hotel occupancy reached a staggering 98% across Newcastle and Gateshead.
“Those visitors who come to the destination specifically for an event, particularly those who stay overnight, spend far more on shopping, leisure and dining, at an average £122, versus typical day visitors who spend an average £31, and so contribute significant sums to the local economy.”
James Ramsbotham, chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, has also backed the stadium.
He said: “A great deal of work has been done by Sunderland Football Club and Gary Hutchinson to establish the Stadium of Light as the country’s most successful new venue for successfully attracting huge international acts and performers.
“While these events provide a fantastic boost to Sunderland’s economy and profile, this summer’s impressive hat-trick of headliners will also deliver an enormous boost to the North East economy, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the region.”
The meeting is taking place at the Stadium of Light today at 3pm. For more information, email jonathan.walker@necc.co.uk
