Rugby World Cup could give Exeter £5m cash boost

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NEW research has revealed Exeter is in line to receive a huge economic boost from hosting matched in next summer’s near’s World Cup.

Thousands of people will descend on the city this weekend as Exeter Chiefs take a shot at winning their first major trophy in the club’s 143 year history.

A rugby festival has been organised in Princesshay on Saturday to mark the LV Cup Final which is being held at Sandy Park.

And it will give fans a taste of what’s to come when the World Cup comes to the city next year.

The city council is currently drawing up a report to highlight the benefits of the tournament for Exeter, where three games will be played.

And the Echo can exclusively reveal that early figures suggest the competition will generate a massive economic boost for the city.

According to the council’s calculations:

If 50 per cent of ticket holders stay overnight in Exeter for all three games it would generate £4.9m.

If 25 per cent of ticket holders stay overnight in Exeter for all three games it would generate £2.5m.

If only 10 per cent of ticket holders stay overnight in Exeter for all three games it would generate £991,000.

The figures do not take into account officials, referees, media and teams staying overnight.

Derek Phillips, chairman of the Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership, said top flight rugby is providing a big boost to businesses in Exeter and the surrounding area.

“Exeter is fast becoming the rugby capital of the South West,” he said.

“We’ve got our first national cup final this weekend and are just 18 months away from Rugby World Cup arriving in the city, when we host three international matches watched by a global audience of up to four billion.”

Several thousand extra visitors are expected to come into the city from across the UK and abroad to watch the World Cup games.

John Harvey, Exeter city centre manager, said: “The potential economic benefits to the city are very encouraging. With the likely influx of national and international visitors, there is an opportunity for every business in the retail sector to gain.

“But we need to make sure these figures are transferred into reality. And nobody should assume these benefits will happen without lots of hard work.”

Research from The South West Research Company indicates that visitor spend within the Exeter economy grew by 16.9 per cent to £195.6m from 2011 to 2012 – and the city attracted more than 2.2 million visitors during that period.

Councillor Rosie Denham, lead councillor for economy and culture, added: “Exeter is a fantastic city that has much to offer, and this combined with the games at Sandy Park and a real match atmosphere in our Fanzone in the city centre is going to provide a real boost for Exeter’s economy.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/464449/Leeds-connection-driving-England-to-Six-Nations-success

Rugby World Cup could give Exeter £5m cash boost