Shropshire set to benefit from London 2012 Olympics

Press release - 6 June 2007

Shropshire set to benefit from London 2012 Olympics

Planning is well underway to ensure that the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics provide Shropshire with a lasting legacy that will benefit local communities and attract increasing numbers of visitors to the county, Shropshre County Council’s Cabinet members will hear next week.

A report to be presented to the Council’s Cabinet next Wednesday (13 June) will provide an update on the work of the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin 2012 group, which was established in January 2006 to help exploit the opportunities that the 2012 Games will present to the county. (see note 1)

Since its formation the STW 2012 group has been exploring ways to attract athletes and sporting events to the county in the run-up to the Games, and to develop Olympic-related tourism, particularly around Much Wenlock’s history as birthplace of the modern Olympics.

The report says that a consortium of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin sports facilities and hotels has already submitted an ‘expression of interest’ application to be considered within the British Olympic Association 2012 pre-games training camps guide. (see note 2)

And a team of consultants led by Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (see note 3) has been working on behalf of the STW 2012 group to identify, assess and prioritise tourism, cultural and sporting opportunities relating to London 2012, looking at more than 300 ideas.

Cabinet members will hear that the Group is now set to give immediate consideration to - and explore funding bids for - the following activities:-

- Upgrading Lilleshall – to provide a basis to attract a training camp to the area – and prioritising the use of the site for UK athletes.
- Improving the tourism infrastructure in Much Wenlock.
- Exploiting the William Penny Brookes Olympics archive and Much Wenlock’s links to the modern Olympics.
- Improving signage to key sites in Shropshire, and promotion of the area to tourists, and to groups arriving in the West Midlands for training camps.
- Engaging and involving local schools and communities in tourism and education initiatives relating to the Olympics.

Councillor Barbara Craig, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for community services, said: “A key factor of the London 2012 submission and ultimately its success was the benefit and impact that the Games would have on the nations and regions of the whole of UK.

“London 2012 has presented Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin with a unique opportunity to take advantage of its sporting, tourism and cultural infrastructure before, during and after the Games.

“Underpinning all of this planning is a need to use the Games as a lasting legacy that will not only benefit our communities but also continue to attract visitors to explore Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin’s rich cultural heritage.”

George Candler, Assistant Director for learning and culture with Shropshire County Council added: “At this early stage it is already apparent that there will be a strong focus on the county in relation to London 2012 Olympic Games. It is also clear that nationally and regionally the Games will look to Shropshire, and Much Wenlock in particular, to highlight the historical significance of the modern day Olympics and how, from its early beginnings in Much Wenlock, the modern day spectacle we will see in London has evolved.”

The report also asks Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet to agree to contribute £10,000 per year towards the work of the STW 2012 group, which will include funding an officer to co-ordinate activity and prepare funding bids. Contributions will also be made by Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council and are being discussed by Bridgnorth District Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.

ENDS

Additional information

(1) The STW 2012 Group has a broad membership of public, private and voluntary sector bodies including Shropshire County Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Energize STW, Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council, Bridgnorth District Council, Welti Tennis Centre, Telford AFC, Telford First and Wenlock Olympian Society.

(2) This guide will be issued to the 200 plus national Olympic Associations of the competing nations. Given that these nations will each be offered £26,000 to base themselves in the UK in the lead up to the 2012 Games there is a reasonable chance that they will be interested in basing themselves in Shropshire

(3) Energize STW is the county’s sports partnership.

(4) Councillor Barbara Craig represents Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin on the West Midlands Olympics Leadership Group which provides the strategic steer for the region.

(5) There is a tangible connection between the Modern Olympic Games movement and the Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin area, mainly through the operation of the Wenlock Olympian Society and the residence of William Penny Brookes in Much Wenlock in Shropshire. Brookes was influential in the revival of the modern Games in 1896.

For further information, call George Candler, Assistant Director – Learning & Culture, Community Services, on (01743) 255003.
Councillor Barbara Craig, Cabinet member for community services, on (01939) 260232.
For media contact, call Gareth Proffitt, Communications Officer, on (01743) 252828.