Sport
England’s Northwest is a huge sporting region. It is
home to leading sporting names of Manchester United
and Liverpool Football Clubs, JJB Sports and Reebok, all of
which are known throughout the world. More recently, the
acclaimed hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester has
positioned the region as the UK’s top region for sport.
The sport industry makes a significant contribution to the
Northwest economy, employing over 50,000 people and generating over
£3 billion in annual turnover. Overall, sport accounts for 1.5% of
the region’s economy.
Major sporting events also contribute to the development of the
image, economy and tourism potential of the Northwest. The region
has an excellent track record of regularly hosting highly
successful major events, such as the Grand National and the Open
Golf Championships, as well as one-off events such as the
Commonwealth Games.
The hugely successful Commonwealth Games in 2002 highlighted
many of these opportunities, raising the image of Manchester and
the Northwest across the globe and acting as a catalyst for
the regeneration of the local area. An assessment of the
direct, long-term effects of the Games highlights the creation
of 6,300 full-time jobs and a £22 million increase in
turnover experienced by local businesses. For further
information, see www.gameslegacy.com