Businesses welcome the Tour de Yorkshire to Wakefield

The Tour de Yorkshire roadshow rolled into Wakefield and told more than 60 businesses how the race can showcase the city and their work.
Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal. Ramsdens Solicitors: Kerry Nowell, Beth Hilton, Laura Riley.Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal. Ramsdens Solicitors: Kerry Nowell, Beth Hilton, Laura Riley.
Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal. Ramsdens Solicitors: Kerry Nowell, Beth Hilton, Laura Riley.

In a diverse audience consisting of a transport boss, a department store manager, shirt makers, lawyers, radio presenters, council officials and college workers,plus others they spoke with one voice about the great opportunities a globally televised race offered.

Munir Mamujee, managing director of m2r Education, said after last Monday’s event at the Theatre Royal Wakefield: “It is absolutely fantastic that Wakefield has the opportunity to showcase its wonderful attributes to approximately 120 countries across the globe.

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“After missing out on the route for the Grand Depart, it is great to the see the city really embracing this opportunity and there is a real sense of camaraderie and community spirit.

Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal.
M2R's Munir Mamujee with Keeley Crookbain, of Molly's Flowers, Newmillerdam.Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal.
M2R's Munir Mamujee with Keeley Crookbain, of Molly's Flowers, Newmillerdam.
Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal. M2R's Munir Mamujee with Keeley Crookbain, of Molly's Flowers, Newmillerdam.

“As an international company we are constantly asked where Wakefield is, therefore this is a great opportunity to firmly put us on the map. I can’t wait and hopefully the weather will play its part too.”

His comments were echoed by Sandra Oxley, of Double Two shirts.

The group marketing manager said: “With the third leg of the race starting and running through our city, this has certainly put Wakefield back on the map and hopefully, will attract a vast amount of visitors both locally and from afar.

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“Obviously this is a very prestigious milestone for the area and, as it is Double Two’s 75th year of successful shirtmaking in the city, they would like to be involved in supporting or participating in this prestigious event.”

Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal.
Double Two: Sandra Oxley and Barbara Lawton.Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal.
Double Two: Sandra Oxley and Barbara Lawton.
Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal. Double Two: Sandra Oxley and Barbara Lawton.

Wakefield College is another of the organisations fully behind the stage race.

Marketing manager Stuart Parton said: “The race is a great opportunity to showcase what’s great about Wakefield and the Five Towns.

“We have a fantastic sporting and cultural heritage which we can show the world. The staff and students at the college are already planning lots of activities to get involved in the event.

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“We thought the presentations were excellent and signposted how everyone in our district can get behind the Tour and benefit from Wakefield being on the world stage. Sport and health aren’t just key parts of our provision at the college, they’re issues that affect all of our communities. We’re hoping that the Tour de Yorkshire raises awareness of what everyone can do to enhance their own lives and truly benefit from living in such a fantastic part of the world.”

Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal.
Laura Briscoe and Stuart Parton, of Wakefield College's marketing department.Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal.
Laura Briscoe and Stuart Parton, of Wakefield College's marketing department.
Tour de Yorkshire business road show at Wakefield Theatre Royal. Laura Briscoe and Stuart Parton, of Wakefield College's marketing department.

Among the audience were three legal eagles from Ramsdens Solicitors. Marketing director Sinéad Sopala said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is a fabulous event for the region and the fact that stage three is starting in the city of Wakefield is exciting news for local businesses and the local community.

“Cycling in the region has always been strong but since the Tour de France last year it seems to have brought so many more spectators and cyclists to the sport. With stage three passing through four of our office locations,

“Ramsdens are fully supporting the Tour de Yorkshire and a few of us, including myself, are also taking part in the Cycletta which takes in part of stage 3.”

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Start-up businesses have also welcomed the event. Molly’s Flowers is a mobile business based in the car park of The Pledwick pub in Newmillerdam, which is just below the route. Owner Keeley Croockbain said: “I thought it was an empowering presentation. I think it is exciting for all Yorkshire businesses and for me as a new start up. It’s going to be a fabulous opportunity to be part of a major event, which increases awareness. It’s a win-win situation.

“I understand the TV coverage of the race is going to be shot from above, so I am going to do a 5m long floral display in yellow, blue and white, which will spell out the word Yorkshire.”

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