Win could spell millions for the town
Published 21 Apr 2012 08:00
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SHOPS, hotels, restaurants and the jobs market will be multi-million pound winners after Reading's return to English football's top flight.
Accountants James Cowper - which has a branch based in Wesley Gate off Queens Road - estimate the Royals' coveted Premier League place will generate a whopping £30m revenue for the town's companies as football fans from across the country flock to world class games at the Madejski Stadium next season.
The eye-watering windfall, based on evidence from economic trends in Swansea and Blackpool, whose teams were promoted over the last two years, adds to the £90m the Royals will potentially rake in from lucrative television rights and surging ticket sales.
Nick Rogers, is a partner at James Cowper's Reading office, and witnessed the team's promotion clinching victory at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.
He said: "The Premiership profile will give Reading national and international exposure, attracting increased visitor numbers and creating job opportunities. It will give an enormous lift to the region following the disappointment of losing out on achieving city status - and that is something that cannot be bought or a value placed upon."
Guy Douglas, manager of the Reading UK CIC Business Improvement District (BID), said: "Reading going up will have a significant impact on the town and we anticipate benefits for hospitality, hotels and travel."
Clair Prosser [corr], policy executive for the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, said: "It will bring a feel-good factor to the town and this can only benefit the local economy as the celebrations continue.
"The Premier League is viewed all over the world and can only encourage inward investment and interest in Reading and the Thames Valley globally. The hospitality industry will also benefit from the influx of visitors from businesses wanting to get involved with the football club."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 23 Apr 12
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