THE long-term future of international cricket at Durham has been given a boost with a £2.8 million investment package.
The fund was allocated by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP) to Durham County Cricket Club in a meeting of board members last night, who agreed to match-fund money already pledged by Durham County Council.
Officials with the club have so far been unable to say how all of the cash would be spent but an initial £1.2m will go on new seating to be built in time for the Ashes Test match against Australia in August.
Clive Leach, chairman of Durham County Cricket Club, said: “We are very grateful to have the backing of the North East LEP, having had agreement in principle from Durham County Council last week that they will be supporting us with investment of £2.8m.
“The club needs and welcomes the backing of these local stakeholders in order to ensure that international cricket in Durham can be preserved, something that is absolutely crucial to the long-term sustainability of the club.”
Durham Council, which is currently overseeing a four-year budget plan that has seen savings of £125m and 1,600 job losses, agreed to invest £2.8m in a bid to secure a “sustainable business model” at Durham County Cricket Club last week.
The council’s money – which leader Simon Henig claims is not finance raised through council tax – was dependent on the NE LEP providing the same amount.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to complete the £6m upgrade scheme by pledging a further £1m in the coming weeks.
Paul Woolston, chair of the NE LEP, said: “We are delighted to announce that the North East LEP has allocated up to £2.8m from its investment fund in response to an application from Durham County Cricket Club.
“The initial £1.2m of funding means that new permanent seating can go ahead immediately at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground to complete the world-class stadium and facilities, confirming Durham as a first-class location for international cricket.
“We look forward to the Ashes’ Test match this summer, and the other high- profile international events which have already agreed to come to Durham between now and 2016.”
He urged the ECB to now play their part by demonstrating a commitment to the region by bringing a full programme of Test cricket to Durham through to 2020 and beyond.
Mr Woolston added: “Durham County Cricket Club is an important asset for the North East, and upgrading the Emirates Durham ICG stadium will attract global, national and local visitors to the area as part of the club’s business plan.”
An ECB spokesman said: “The ECB is delighted to learn that Durham County Cricket Club has today received the backing of its local economic partnership, matching the support from the county council last week.
“The support of local stakeholders is essential to the success of all First Class Counties as has been demonstrated in several locations around the country in recent years.
“We very much look forward to working with the team there to deliver the first ever Investec Ashes Test Match in the North East at the Emirates Durham ICG in August.”
This summer, the club will make history by hosting the Australians in what will be the first Ashes Test match to be played in the North East.
The August fixture will be followed by a T20 match against the same nation before a string of high-profile future fixtures hoped to bring in millions to the local economy.
An independent impact report has shown that the cricket club will contribute almost £20m to the local economy this year, and a further £40m over the next three years.
Work at the 15,000-seater stadium at the Riverside at Chester-le-Street started in 1990 and it has played host to World Cup and One Day International cricket.
