The Olympic Games and Paralympics could come to the north of England, including the North East, in the 2040s if a study commissioned by the government from UK Sport assesses the idea to be feasible. The idea is part of a planned drive by ministers to use sports to regenerate towns and cities.
The government is also planning a “stadium regeneration accelerator” through which it will work with sporting bodies across England on priority sports infrastructure development projects – such as stadiums – that can help deliver local regeneration and commercial growth. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told North East Bylines: “Discussions are currently taking place regarding the future of St James’ Park [Newcastle]”.
Public funding will not be used directly for the regeneration of stadiums but the government will work with sports clubs and leagues to unlock opportunities for large-scale housing delivery, jobs, apprenticeships, transport improvement and community sports facilities.
Best of Britain
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world. But while the north of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the north.
“Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came north and we showed what we can offer to the world. I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the north.”
Showcase
Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “From our great cities and towns to our coastlines and countryside, the north has the venues, the passion and the sporting pride to deliver a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games that showcases the very best of Great Britain to the world.
“A Great North Olympics would be a global showcase, leaving a legacy of prosperity, unity and renewal. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, delivering transformational investment in transport, regeneration and public spaces across the north of England. This could become the most people-powered Games ever hosted: inspiring millions of people into sport, volunteering and community action.”
Key role
The government firmly sees major sporting events and sporting facilities as playing a key role in driving economic growth, regeneration, improving pride in place, and bolstering the UK’s global appeal, said the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Initial work by UK Sport examining whether the UK could host the Games for the first time since London 2012 will assess key factors such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success.
The government has also announced a wave of new work to use sport as a catalyst for local regeneration and economic growth:
- Stadium Regeneration Accelerator
DCMS will work alongside the Office for Investment (OfI), HM Treasury and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with sports bodies such as the Premier League, the English Football League and WSL Football. Together, said the DCMS, they would identify and unblock barriers to development at both a national and local level – and would include projects across the sports sector. The OfI would act as the front door for potential investors to be involved in the programme.
Planned projects across England included proposals in Newcastle as well as Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London that had the potential to regenerate their surrounding areas. The government would also look at how we could learn lessons and share best practice with counterparts from Europe and further afield, said the department.
Richard Masters, Premier League chief executive said: “Football clubs across the country are important institutions in their communities. The stadium investment pipeline across the Premier League now amounts to an estimated £5bn, with a number of clubs actively considering significant additional projects. New and redeveloped stadiums will deliver over 100,000 extra seats for supporters, as well as thousands of new jobs. These private investments can deliver substantial public benefits, and accelerating delivery can help to boost economic growth.
“Developing partnerships to create transport and community infrastructure is often vital to unlocking redevelopment. That will help to strengthen the pipeline of viable projects and enable faster delivery, benefiting football fans as well as local residents and businesses. We welcome this programme and look forward to working with our clubs, the government, mayors and local authorities to help make it a success.”
- Sporting Events Bill:
Introduced to Parliament on Thursday, the new Bill would make it easier to bid for, secure and deliver major sporting events in future, including UEFA EURO 2028,s said the DCMS. It would also make the unauthorised resale of tickets for designated major events a criminal offence, ensuring more tickets reach real fans at face value rather than being snapped up by touts and resold.
- UK Government Strategy for Major Events:
The government would set out its plans to support and provide leadership to the nation’s wider major events sector by delivering a cross-sector strategy within the coming year, said the DCMS. The strategy would cover major events in all sectors – cultural, sporting and business – and ensure that major events continued to drive economic growth, enhance the UK’s soft power across the globe, and strengthen social cohesion in our towns and cities. This would build on the UK’s outstanding track record — from the 80th commemorations of VE day and the billions of pounds generated every year from hosting business events, to the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup last year.
- Grassroots
Alongside more than £500mn invested into the delivery of major sporting events, said the department, the government was making a serious and sustained commitment to grassroots sport. At least £400mn was being invested in community facilities across the country, ensuring that the legacy of every major event was felt far and wide.
Comment
There are many hurdles to be jumped before Olympic events are seen in the North East. The DCMS itself has pointed out that it is not committed to a bid at this stage. The assessment commissioned from UK Sport is initial only. The findings will determine whether to proceed with a more detailed technical feasibility study, examining the costs, benefits, and viability of hosting the Games. Any final decision on if and when a future bid might take place is for the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association to take. Nevertheless, this first step on a long journey is welcome.
More immediately promising is the Stadium Regeneration Accelerator, particularly at a time when Newcastle United and the city council are wrestling with the future of St James’ Park. Newcastle fans will hope the Accelerator will help speed up the plans already taking place about the ground.
*This report is based on a press release from the DCMS.
