By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to bring a major cycling race to Newark to draw thousands of people into the town are being given the green light.
Newark and Sherwood District Council will be stumping up the cash to ensure the Newark Town Centre Races is held this summer.
The council was approached in 2020 to fund a pilot ‘annual’ Newark Town Centre circuit race event, that will form a critical part of the British Cycling, National Circuit Series, for both men and women.
This event will also be the series finale in the British Cycling calendar, making Newark “the central focus of the British cycling world.”
The event will also include multiple youth races, a regional semi pro and junior race, and a community ride aimed at younger children and their families.
The council says it will create “an energetic and inspirational cycling festival atmosphere within the Royal Market Square and town centre” on Friday, July 29.
To deliver the event the organiser, Chris Lawrence, an experienced figure in British Cycling, has asked that the council take on the responsibility of underwriting the cost of the event which has been set at £30,000.
The role will also include stewarding, traffic management and road closures, marketing and prize funding.
The organiser has stated that entry fees and commercial sponsorship will be sourced into the event and any surpluses from year one will reduce the underwritten value for any future years.
The event will host more than 400 riders, from kids to senior UK Olympic hopefuls and attract more than 100 younger families in a community ride.
Matt Lamb, director of planning and growth at the council, said: “It is envisaged that Newark Town Centre Races will attract 2,000 to 3,000 spectators throughout the event, both from casual enthusiasts, the cycling community, and the wider public who desire live sports and cultural events.
“Currently footfall stands at approximately 8,000 people a day, which would therefore increase footfall by up to 38 per cent on the event day.
“Further data has shown that an average day visitor would spend £63, this would equate to a potential additional increase of £188,000 to the local economy.
“The event will also support town centre retail and business involvement and will showcase the town centre offering and stimulate business growth. The event has the potential for national and international publicity.
“Cycling in the UK has been the growth sport for the last decade, and in particular over the Covid 19 pandemic there has been a notable increase in 2020 for cycle usage.
“The Newark Town Centre Races, delivered entirely by volunteers on a non-profit basis, gives Newark a true, high calibre national cycling event, levering the media profile, both UK and overseas, that a national British Cycling event brings to it by bringing to the streets of Newark current and future Olympic and world stars.”
Councillors are set to approve a budget of £40,000 to deliver a pilot ‘Newark Town Centre Race’ in summer 2022 in partnership with British Cycling and local traders and to contribute towards the Tour of Britain in 2022, which takes place later in the year.
They will meet on March 31 to approve the plans at a policy and finance committee.
