Press Release

Circus at Old Trafford drums up £10 million

29 June 2009

Manchester's Old Trafford cricket ground played host to 250,000 Take That fans last week as the band's sell-out Circus tour came to town, bringing with it huge economic benefits for the region. According to the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), an estimated £10 million was spent by Take That fans in Manchester over the five dates at Lancashire County Cricket Ground last week.

The figures highlight the importance of major events to the region's economy, particularly in the current economic climate. As well as generating a welcome economic boost, large scale events such as this help encourage tourism and improve the image of the region.

The Northwest has a growing number of world-class venues, including Lancashire County Cricket Club's Old Trafford. The venue is investing heavily in modernisation having recently secured £2.65 million from the NWDA to upgrade its facilities. Top quality venues are essential in attracting major events to the region.

The Agency's investment will help the Club to become more competitive in hosting future events and will also help to secure the future of international cricket in the region. The improvements will go a long way to ensuring that Old Trafford regains its place on the International Test Match circuit in time for the 2013 Ashes Test.

Take That's Circus shows were part of the band's 20-date UK tour which was organised and managed by Manchester-based SJM Concerts.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:

"Take That's Manchester dates were clearly a huge success for the band, and the spectacular shows were a great occasion for all the fans who travelled to the city. But as well as being a great event, the shows are likely to have brought a minimum of £10 million into the region and, perhaps more importantly will have helped boost consumer and economic confidence.

"In the Northwest we have some fantastic venues for both music and sport and it is great to see them being put to good use in this way."

Andrew Stokes, Chief Executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting the city on a national and international stage, said:

"Music has long been one of Manchester's biggest draws. The city's passion for all things musical – from classical performances by the Hallé orchestra to the up-and-coming bands playing in the Northern Quarter – has made Manchester something of a Mecca for lovers of all music genres. These events are an integral part of Manchester's unique selling point and form a central part of our UK and overseas marketing activity."