Coventry and Warwickshire businesses urged to get set for Commonwealth Games

Businesses have been urged to ‘Get Set for the Games’ and take advantage of the economic benefits the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will bring to Coventry and Warwickshire. 

Representatives from Birmingham 2022 and Transport for West Midlands spoke with business leaders in the region as part of a Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce online event.  

The session was held to help businesses plan for the Commonwealth Games – with information on how to engage with the Games and how to mitigate for travel disruption generated by the extra people travelling to and from events. 

Coventry and Warwickshire will host a range of events over the course of the Games, with Coventry Stadium and Arena hosting Rugby 7s, Judo and Wrestling, while Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls will take place at Victoria Park in Leamington Spa and the Cycling Road Race taking place on roads around Warwickshire. 

David Grady, Chief Financial Officer at Birmingham 2022, spoke at the event. He said that more than a million tickets have already been sold and that the region has the opportunity to surpass the £282 million in tourism revenues generated by Glasgow in 2014. 

He said: “We’re all committed to helping our region grow and succeed. Businesses have a huge part to play in welcoming visitors and delivering the legacy of the Games. 

“The economic success associated with a global event like this is a really important part of why regions invest in hosting events like the Commonwealth Games. 

“We absolutely want the Games to kick start our region, put us on the map and be a catalyst for change.  

“There will be a lot of visitors from outside the region, many of whom will stay over and do things other than the Games. There will be big tourism and retail opportunities arising from those people that stay over for a number of days.  

“This is a once in a generation event. There are precious few global events of this scale, and we are ready to enjoy a brilliant iteration of the Games. We hope to make our city and wider region proud of what we deliver this summer.”  

Businesses also heard from Adam Grinsell, from the Readiness Team at Birmingham 2022, and Sarah Crane, from Transport for West Midlands.

The pair discussed the traffic management and parking restrictions that will be in place around venues when events are being held – and provided guidance to help businesses carry on as usual during the Games. 

Advice ranged from encouraging staff to travel by public transport during the Games and adjusting arrival and departure times to the workplace, to organising deliveries when venues don’t have events on and ensuring delivery drivers have the correct documentation to pass through permit only areas. 

Chris Nagle, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The event was a great platform for businesses to speak directly with organisers of Birmingham 2022 and find out more about the steps they will need to take to be ready for the Commonwealth Games. 

“At the Chamber of Commerce, we are huge supporters of the Games and recognise the economic benefit the event will bring to the region. Some incredible business opportunities will arise as a result of the Games and Coventry and Warwickshire is perfectly positioned to take advantage of those opportunities.”  

Business owners are being encouraged to visit www.birmingham2022.com/getset to ‘Get Set for the Games’.