THE funding needed to host the Tour de Yorkshire in Richmondshire was approved by councillors this week.
Around £115,000 worth of funding, which will allow Leyburn host the cycling event between Thursday, April 30 and Sunday, May 3, was agreed on Wednesday.
Members of Richmondshire District Council’s Corporate Board agreed to set up a £30,000 pot to help surrounding villages and towns get involved.
A further £85,000 of £185,000 needed to host the actual event, was also approved by the board.
Describing the funding as a “financial shot in the arm,” Leyburn district councillor Karin Sedgewick told the D&S Times: “I’m really pleased, it’s an excellent opportunity to highlight North Yorkshire and I am really pleased that Leyburn has been chosen.
TDY crowds turned out to Bedale, North Yorkshire
“We have been given the opportunity to showcase itself and we will rise to the challenge.” The remaining £100,000 needed for the town to host the event is coming from the North and West Yorkshire Business Rates pool.
Ms Sedgwick, who said Leyburn Town Council was now discussing the recruitment of volunteers to assist, said the town would aim to welcome everyone.
She said: “We are going to give it our best, Leyburn Town Council are already discussing getting the volunteers to help, the Tour De Yorkshire provides barriers and volunteers, but we have got to provide our own volunteers too to make sure it goes well.
“It’s a financial shot in the arm, it’s a really good thing.
“We have got to work with it, we got to make everyone welcome and make sure that we are putting everything in place to make sure people enjoy it.”
The 2019 Tour De Yorkshire in Skipton
Last year Peter Dodd, Commercial Director of Welcome to Yorkshire, said organisers “couldn’t wait” to revisit a number of locations across the county.
Paying tribute to locations including Leyburn, Mr Dodd said the town had “proven” itself as as a more than worthy recipient of the event.
Ms Sedgwick said: “In years to come you have got to highlight Leyburn as an excellent place. I am sure people will rise to the opportunity.
“We should feel proud and are proud that we have been offered this opportunity.”
Peter Dodd of Welcome to Yorkshire paid tributes to the race
Councillor Angie Dale, Richmondshire District Council leader, said host locations had historically recorded “big economic” impacts from the Tour de Yorkshire.
She said: “Bringing the Tour de Yorkshire to Leyburn is going to be a massive boost not just for the town but for the district as a whole.
“It is a showcase event for the region and other host locations have recorded big economic impacts as a result.
“We look forward to finding out the race route and Leyburn’s involvement later this week.”
Race organisers are today set to unveil the official route of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire at an event in Leeds
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