MP Backs Wrexham Rally Bid

Wrexham’s MP Ian Lucas has lent his support to a bid to bring a prestigious sporting event to the area.

Wrexham Council has already expressed its interest in bringing the Wales Rally GB to the area with council leader Neil Rogers saying “Wrexham has a strong pedigree when it comes to hosting major sporting events and we would certainly be interested in adding Rally GB to that list”

Mr Lucas believes that success in attracting the event to Wrexham would be good news for the local economy, and he has said he ‘has already held discussions on the issue and has pledged to lend his support to any forthcoming bid’.

He said “Bringing a the Wales Rally GB to Wrexham would add to its growing reputation for sporting events – and those events really can boost local economies. A recent study showed Swansea City FC’s Premiership status was worth £58 million in the economic benefits it secured, and we can reap a similar reward from sporting success here in Wrexham.”

“I have always been keen to support and develop sporting events locally, and I believe that their impact has sometimes been underestimated.”

“That is why I am pleased Wrexham Council has expressed its interest in Wales Rally GB – and why I will be speaking to the council to let them know I will do what I can to help.”

Football Club Benefit To Community

The quoted £58,000,000 benefit of a Football Club doing very well is of interest, as locally fans of Wrexham FC feel let down by the council’s action over the last few years. Specifically the student flats development has been most criticised.

The development itself took place on the former car park of Wrexham Football Club, with all profits were due to go into the club, but they were since told the club will ‘not see a penny more’ and has had all it will have ‘upfront’. This contrasts to the information given, before planning approval, via a leaflet in 2009 to fans that stated “Wrexham FC have entered into a legal agreement with Wrexham Council which means that all profits from the development are safeguarded to go back into the club”.

On the evening of the planning decision to approve the student flats, one councillor described it as ‘a gamble’. So far there has been no indication if they believe this ‘gamble’ paid off.

We have also noted the planning documents and reality are still mismatched several months after we wrote about it in terms of the placement, style and landscaping.