Tour de France tourists are expected to spend millions of pounds when they descend on Huddersfield and Calderdale next month.

Both Calderdale and Kirklees Councils are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to take to the streets.

And the estimated spend for each area could be as high as £3m.

Now the councils are busy helping local businesses get ready for the race on Sunday, July 6.

Calderdale Council has sent out leaflets and information packs to over 1,000 Calderdale businesses, and council teams have been out and about delivering a number of free roadshows. The sessions give face-to-face advice to businesses on raising profile through themed products; cross promotion; encouraging people to stay longer; repeat business; and the practicalities of race day.

Calderdale Council’s Leader, Clr Tim Swift, said: “The Tour de France is a brilliant opportunity for Calderdale to promote itself on the world stage. It’s wonderful to see our local businesses excited about the Tour, planning and taking action to make the most of it, and we’re supporting them in a number of ways.

“Race day alone is estimated to bring up to £3m into the borough, and a predicted 160,000 visitors. This gives us great opportunities to benefit from a business and economy perspective.

“But we know it’s not just about race day. After the Tour, it’s predicted that our visitor numbers are likely to increase by between 15% and 30%. We’re working with TdFHUB2014 to assess the long-term economic impacts. We are working with other organisations to develop Calderdale as a cycling hub, to create a Tour de France legacy.

“The aim is to encourage cyclists to use a town as their base for several nights, allowing them to explore the area by bike via a series of routes which link up with tourist attractions, local businesses and refreshment stops – tempting people to stay in Calderdale longer, spend more, tell friends and keep coming back.”

Melanie Thornber who runs The Fox Bar and Bistro in Ripponden, went to two council-run roadshows and found them really useful.

“I learnt things that I didn’t know about before. I knew that the Tour coming to Calderdale would be a big thing, but I didn’t realise just how great an opportunity it would be for my business.

“As a result of the roadshows, the Ripponden business community has come together and we’re sharing information and ideas. We’re all embracing the Tour and working together to raise our profile in the run-up”.

Another business which is planning to make the most of the Tour is Little Valley Brewery, based in Cragg Vale. The business brews a range of organic beers and has created a new beer to mark the Tour de France, which is themed around Yorkshire cycling champion Brian Robinson.

The brewery’s Sue Cooper said: “The Tour de France is acting as a catalyst for businesses, communities and local authorities to work together more closely. From a commercial perspective for Little Valley it is both reminding people that we are here and raising our profile amongst potential customers.

“We hope that the networks we are building now will be sustained after the Tour and that the work we put in now supports a legacy for greater things to come in the future.”

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