Birmingham Post

Games bid is win-win for city Business bosses back push to host Commonweal­th Games 2022

- Neil Elkes Local Government Correspond­ent

BIRMINGHAM business bosses are backing the city’s bid to host the Commonweal­th Games in 2022 as an opportunit­y to create jobs and boost the economy.

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) made its call as the city confirmed it will go head to head with Liverpool in a contest to become the UK’s nominated host city.

Birmingham’s unveiled a Commonweal­th Games logo and con- firmed it would create the UK’s largest permanent athletics stadium at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr as the focus for the event.

The stadium, which is already home to UK Athletics, has a capacity of more than 12,000 but this would be increased to 40,000.

It would host the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games and would be the major athletics venue for the games.

With 95 per cent of sporting venues and facilities already in place, Birmingham is promoting itself as the ‘low risk, low cost’ potential host and one which can deliver a global sporting event within an unusually short time scale.

GBCC chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “The announceme­nt represents a huge opportunit­y for the Greater Birmingham region and has the full backing of the region’s business community.

“It will once again put Birmingham on a global stage and at the same time create job opportunit­ies in the build-up as well in the work that will be required on some of the sports infrastruc­ture in the city.

“We greatly look forward to working with the business community in the city to promote Birmingham’s bid and if successful to ensure we make the very best of the Games. Every aspect of business in the city, from the shops and theatre to the bars and restaurant­s will benefit.”

Anita Bhalla of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnershi­p, which is also backing the bid, said: “Birmingham and the region have a proven track record in hosting major sporting events, so we are well positioned to deliver a Games to remember.

“The Games will provide us with an opportunit­y not only to show our sporting strength, but also our historic links to the Commonweal­th. It will further enhance regional tourism and support our growing economy.”

As well as Alexander Stadium, events are also likely to be staged at the Barclaycar­d Arena, the NEC, ICC, Sutton Park, Edgbaston Cricket Stadium and further afield in the Black Country, Cannock and Coventry.

Three mastermind­s of the London 2012 Olympics, Debbie Jevans CBE, Sir Keith Mills and Alan Pascoe MBE – through their Origin Sports Group, carried out a feasibilit­y study and have now been appointed to further develop the bid.

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(From left) Anita Bhalla, Cllr Ian Ward, Heather Paton, Laura Samuel, Zena Wooldridge and Jake Porter, launch the Birmingham 2022 Commonweal­th Games bid at Alexander Stadium, in Perry Barr
> (From left) Anita Bhalla, Cllr Ian Ward, Heather Paton, Laura Samuel, Zena Wooldridge and Jake Porter, launch the Birmingham 2022 Commonweal­th Games bid at Alexander Stadium, in Perry Barr

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