Wrexham route for Tour of Britain Start & Finish stage released

Wrexham Council have released the route for the Tour of Britain stage that will start and finish on Chester Street in the city centre.

Yesterday morning we reported that it had been confirmed Wrexham was due to hold the start of the same day stage, rather than the just the already announced finish.

Wrexham Council have now got back to use on more information, as well as releasing the route that will be taken on Monday 4th September.

Wrexham Council had previously announced £154,000 of funding to host just the stage finish, with that alone projected to return a potential £4 million boost to the local economy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​We had asked the council if there was any extra cost to hosting the start stage as well a finish, and what extra benefit it has for Wrexham. They said, “Hosting both the start and finish of the race will mean that more people are able to come into Wrexham and enjoy the spectacle, and for a longer period. We anticipate that this will transfer into more people staying locally and spending in Wrexham, especially within hospitality.”

“There are no extra organiser costs in hosting both the start and finish, however we will have a small increase in cost in having medical support, traffic management and stewards in place for longer.”

In light of the recent large multi million blackhole – with some council staff in at least one department being told to stop ordering paperclips and other stationary due to budget tightening measures – we have enquired what that ‘small’ increase is and will update readers when we know.

With the event due to be leveraged by host locations to ensure the maximum benefit is squeezed out of the investment we asked what cycling themed events would be taking place, and what engagement is happening with schools in the run-up to the tour coming to Wrexham.

The Council said, “Our promotion has already started with the Wales in Bloom Cycle trail around Wrexham. We are working with several local and national organisations that will encourage participation ahead of, as well as during the tour. We will also be using the event to promote and encourage active travel within the City and Wrexham County Borough.

“Bringing such events to the region will give a boost to the sport locally, and we expect that awareness and enthusiasm for cycling will extend and have a long lasting impact on uptake and participation regionally well after the event has visited. This includes within our schools.”

“There will be activities on the day located around the tour village (based at Llwyn Isaf) – this will include cycling themed activities and stalls. We are still working with other stakeholders and organisations to complete a programme of events and engagement.”

“We will be increasing our promotion, public engagement and awareness around the event as well as the health and wellbeing aspects of a healthy lifestyle and healthy living as the event draws nearer. This will include working with our tour of Britain partner who will be supplying much of the promotional materials.”

“Our engagement will also be with businesses in the city and those affected by the route so they know what is to be expected on the day, including alternative parking arrangements.”

With the event on Monday 4th September, a day when some schools are back, we asked if they had been made aware of the Tour before the summer holidays and if there are plans for schools to be invited to the stages.

The Council said, “The date was out of our control as it was decided by the tour organisers and a number of schools in the county are on training day or first day back after the holidays.

“We will be encouraging families to attend, and for those schools that are fully open on the 4th this may mean that they have limited ability to participate.”

We also asked for a copy of the route – which is on the top image, as well as viewable via a zoomable map on this link – plus the council confirmed the route will start and Finish on Chester Street.

Later the Council issued a wider press release, with comment from Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Economy, who said: “Hosting both the stage two start and finish of the Tour of Britain will once again put a sporting spotlight on Wrexham.

“As Wales newest city, and with our ambitions to become City of Culture in 2029, it’s important to attract such large scale events that draw international audiences.”

“The event will bring huge benefits to the local economy – will raise Wrexham’s profile as a location for hosting large events, and increase footfall into the city centre.”

Images to promote the event that were circulating a few weeks back have now been made more public, including the below: