Terriers’ promotion to top flight will boost region’s global profile

Success could bring inward investment

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN’S promotion to the Premier League will enhance Yorkshire’s global profile as we move towards Brexit, according to a senior figure at the Institute of Directors.

Economists and business analysts also predicted that the club’s return to the top flight after a 45year absence will provide a major boost for local pubs, hotels, and restaurants, and could also encourage inward investment.

The Terriers booked their place in the Premier League via a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph over Reading at Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday.

Jonathan Oxley, the chairman of the Institute of Directors in Yorkshire and the Humber, told The Yorkshire Post: “English Premier League football is a big business with a global audience. As we leave the European Union our region needs to cultivate and maintain a high profile across the world.

“There couldn’t be a better time for Huddersfield Town to reach the top flight, where they will ideally be followed by Leeds United next year.”

Iain Clacher, an associate professor at Leeds University Business School, said the promotion to the Premier League was likely to provide a significant boost to both the club and the local economy.

Mr Clacher added: “For the club side, it has been estimated that they will receive around £170m, and this could be as much as £290m if they remain in the Premier League. Although this will be spread over a number of years, it will change the club forever if the money is carefully managed and stewarded.

“Promotion will see the club playing some of the biggest names in football and so it is also likely that there will be investment in the local economy.”

Clair McGowan, the associate director at the CBRE office agency team in Leeds, said: “The town being marketed around the world via the global Premier League can only help to put Huddersfield, and the wider West Yorkshire region, on the map.

“In turn, the knock-on effect can offer great economic potential for the area from commercial property to tourism.”

Chris Allen, the managing partner of Leeds-based law firm

£290M The amount of money Huddersfield Town could receive if they manage to remain in the Premier League.

Blacks, which has a sports law team, said that he could foresee a strong increase in hotel and restaurant bookings throughout the season, as away fans arrive in Huddersfield.

He added: “Every hotel room occupied, and meal or drink sold, brings additional finance into the region.

“Busier hotels and restaurants need more staff to cope and more supplies to meet demand. This is good news for potential employees and good news down the supply chain. Success breeds success.”

Mr Allen said that the club’s chairman Dean Hoyle had to manage expectations and a vastly larger budget.

Mr Allen said: “These are nice problems to have, and problems I am sure he can cope with.”

Dr Michael Nolan, a senior lecturer in economics at the University of Hull, said that the club’s Premier League status could also raise Huddersfield’s profile as a potential business location, and encourage more people to move there for work.

Matthew Wells, the divisional director of Brewin Dolphin in Leeds, predicted that promotion to the Premier League will bring a sense of pride to Huddersfield, and could generate demand for hotels and lead to further developments around the stadium.

“The club does lots of work in the local community,’’ he added.

“I feel the good work will continue on that side.”