Businesses

The Tour of Britain passing through provides a great opportunity for businesses to link in and make the most of the event.

It is estimated that last year the Tour of Britain South West stages attracted a fantastic 230,000 spectators and generated over £5million in economic benefits (according to an independent economic impact report).

We want this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever and we can only do this with your help! Get behind it and see what benefits you can achieve. For local businesses this is a fantastic chance to get involved, join in the festivities and take advantage of promotional opportunities and the sheer numbers of potential customers.

Ideas for your business;

  • Accomodation providers
    • You could provide special mid-week Tour of Britain packages for guests.
  • Local businesses could together run a window competition, ‘spot the bicycle’ in the shop windows
  • Restaurants / takeaways / coffee shops;
    • Why not put on a couple of special offers to bring in the visitors?
    • Make sure you have extra stock!
    • You could do a special Tour of Britain menu (red, white and blue theme)
    • Bakeries could produce bicycle shaped cakes and biscuits
    • Join in the festivities – display our posters, put up bunting and flags and help create a street party atmosphere for this fantastic event
  • Pubs
    • Throw open your doors and welcome the crowds
    • Why not put on a couple of special offers to bring in the visitors
    • Join in the festivities – display our posters, put up bunting and flags and help create a street party atmosphere for this fantastic event
    • Show the event on the your big screen the same day after – look for the Tour of Britain on ITV4

In 2009 The Tour of Britain generated almost £6million in additional visitor spend in the South West. Many different businesses are able to benefit from the event coming to Somerset and Devon, in particular the tourism industry, retailers and food and drink producers.

As well as raising the profile and profits for your business, getting involved with the Tour of Britain can help businesses improve community relations and encourage health and well being in the work place.

Benefits for your business

Businesses can get involved in the Tour of Britain in a number of ways:

  • Support or organise community events to celebrate the Tour of Britain coming to your area.
  • Promote your business as a place to stay, visit or watch the Tour of Britain.
  • Hold special race day or race week offers.
  • Businesses that would like to maximise the benefits of supporting the largest international televised sporting event in the South West can find out about sponsorship opportunities by visiting the sponsorship page (link).

Not got your Tour of Britain posters or flyers yet? Submit an order now, email charmaine.sanders@devon.gov.uk highlighting your contact details and quantities needed.

Benefits for your staff

Somerset County Council and Devon County Council are hosting the Tour of Britain 2010 South West stages to help promote cycling in the region. Let the Tour of Britain inspire your staff to get on their bikes.

Encouraging staff to cycle to and from work and on business can save the company money, reduce a company’s carbon footprint and help to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Cycling is a cheap, quick, healthy and environmentally friendly way to travel and doesn’t need people to break a sweat if cycling at a steady pace.
There are many different ways to encourage staff to cycle, for example:

  • Create cycling themed events and activities for staff to take part in, a good way of promoting healthier living among staff and boosting staff moral.
  • Businesses can take part in the Government’s ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’ which allows employees to buy a discounted bike with a monthly repayment scheme.

An employee can buy a bike tax free and pay back the cost of the bike with a small deduction from their monthly salary.

Typically an employee can save between 30 – 50% of the cost of the bike.

For more details about the ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’ in Somerset, including how to set up a scheme in your work place, visit www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk/cycling/cycling-work/cycle-work-scheme

For further information and ideas about cycling to work in Somerset visit www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk/cycling/cycling-work

Travel Plans

Businesses can encourage cycling as part of setting up a work travel plan. A work travel plan can help develop cost efficient, environmentally friendly travel that benefits employers, staff and customers. Somerset County Council and Devon County Council can help local businesses set up a travel plan.

For businesses in Devon who would like information about setting up a travel plan visit www.devon.gov.uk/travelplans

For businesses in Somerset who would like more information about setting up a travel plan visit www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk/business/employers