North West 200 generates £5.6m for local economy

An estimated £5.6 million was injected into the local economy last weekend thanks to North West 200 motorcycle races.

This figure was revealed to former Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey in a written question presented at Westminster by his party colleague, South Antrim MP David Burnside.

Mr McGimpsey said the estimate, based on a projection calculated from previous years, gives local people a measure of how significant the North-West is in terms of generating revenue in the tourism sector and for local businesses.

“We don’t always appreciate what a jewel in the crown the North-West is not only for Northern Ireland but for our image right across the world. It is now one of the major sporting occasions anywhere in the British Isles," the South Belfast MLA said.

“What must now be seriously addressed is how best we can protect the event which has been highly successfully developed into a week-long biking extravaganza which attracts bikers and road racing fans from all over the world."

The South Belfast MLA has called on the Government to consider a special dispensation for the event permitting organisers to charge entrance admission to a section of the course.

"Granted the NW is run on public roads but if it is to be safeguarded we must be looking at ways of bringing in money to those who stage it in order to ensure it is not left under funded," Mr McGimpsey concluded.

(MB)