International cycling event brought £600,000 boost to Suffolk economy
Thousands of spectators were at Trinity Park for the UCI Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships last year
It's thought a major international cycling event brought a £600,000 boost to the local economy in Suffolk last year.
Thousands of spectators descended on Trinity Park near Ipswich for the UCI Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships between December 2 and 4.
East Suffolk Council has since commissioned a report into the economic impact of the event.
It estimated that participants, spectators, event organisers, contractors and staff spend around £601,850 at local businesses.
About two-thirds of competitors visited from outside Suffolk and stayed overnight;
Three-quarters said they are likely to recommend the county as a place to visit, with about two thirds likely or very likely to visit again in the future.
Cllr Letitia Smith, of East Suffolk Council, said: “I’m delighted to see that the UCI Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships had such a positive impact on the local economy.
“It is testament to the hard work and ambition of the organisers to make the event such a success.
“I had the pleasure of attending the event and presenting medals to some of the winners, so I could see for myself how well it was received by those in attendance.
“I hope the event also inspired more people to share the longer-term economic, environmental, social and health benefits of taking up cycling.”
Last year's UCI event is just the latest prestigious cycling competition to visit Suffolk, with the county hosting the UCI Women’s Tour and Men’s Tour and British Cycling National Cyclo-Cross Championships on multiple occasions.