Drumming up business

Plymouth local businesses get behind the Bid

The business community of Devon and Cornwall were reminded of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity there will be when world class football matches are held in Plymouth, should England secure the FIFA World Cup finals in either 2018 or 2022.
 
At a seminar this week held at the Drum Theatre in Plymouth, businesses gave their support for the Plymouth World Cup bid team.
 
Chaired by Douglas Fletcher, the seminar heard from: Viv Anderson MBE, the former England, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Manchester United footballer, and an FA Ambassador for the England World Cup bid; Lee Roberts, from the entertainment giants AEG, and Keith Todd CBE, Executive Director of Plymouth Argyle Football Club.
 
Douglas Fletcher reminded the business community of the huge benefits to the economy if the World Cup bid is won by England. 
 
He said: "The detailed calculations and analysis we have done shows a benefit to the economy of £164million, with 4,700 jobs created. The World Cup generates massive TV audiences around the world, a marketing opportunity for Devon and Cornwall that will not be achieved in any other way. 
 
"It is now time for the business community do its bit and get fully behind the effort to bring the World Cup to England".
 
Viv Anderson said: "It is great that Plymouth is part of the England bid. It is now important that every individual and every business shows support for the England bid. This will help show FIFA how important this is to all parts of the country and all businesses community." 
 
Lee Roberts, from AEG, said: "We are excited to be working with a team with vision and drive - creating a world class proposition for 2018."

Keith Todd, on behalf of Plymouth Argyle, said: "We all, as individuals and businesses, need to get fully behind the England bid and bring the World Cup back to this country. This will be good economically, socially and for all footballers across the region."
 
The business community have been asked to support the bid by asking all employees to show their support for the bid by signing up on the www.england2018bid.com or www.plymouthworldcupbid.com websites and to purchase England bid merchandise.
 
Businesses have also been asked to help financially by either signing up for one of the England sponsorship packages with the help of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, or making by a £1,000 donation to the Plymouth World Cup Bid Company which was set up to bid for the Host City status.