A new hotel overlooking Durham’s cricket ground could more than double the club’s turnover and create more than 100 jobs, according to its chief executive, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Speaking as plans for the 152-bedroom, four-star development were approved, Durham Cricket Club chief executive Tim Bostock described the project as a “game changer” that would transform the club’s finances and reduce its reliance on funding from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
The six-storey hotel will be built at the club’s Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street and will include a restaurant, bar, meeting spaces, a club shop and a permanent viewing terrace overlooking the pitch.
Mr Bostock said the development had been 17 years in the making and would provide significant benefits for both the club and the wider County Durham economy.
More than 100 permanent jobs are due to be created, alongside training opportunities for young people entering the hospitality industry.
“We fully intend to have 16 to 18-year-old trainees work in the hotel every year,” he said.
“I think you’re all aware of how difficult it is for young people to get into employment. We hope that this will be an incredible opportunity to settle on their career path.”
Durham Cricket Club currently has an annual turnover of around £8 million, with about 70% of its income coming from the ECB.
However, Mr Bostock said the hotel could help increase turnover to “well in excess of £20 million”, while generating an additional £1 million in annual revenue.
He added: “It reduces reliance on the ECB. We’re in charge of our own destiny.
“Financial sustainability is a really hot topic among the 18 counties, and some of them are really struggling. We have the opportunity of a silver bullet and many counties don’t have that.”
He said profits generated by the hotel would be reinvested throughout the game, from elite cricket to grassroots participation. “There is a benefit to the broader community, kids playing cricket, outdoor and healthy living,” Mr Bostock said.
The development will also help secure Durham’s status as an international cricket venue.
The county has agreements in place to stage international matches until 2031, but upgraded facilities are “vital” to maintaining that position.
During the 2019 Cricket World Cup, matches at Chester-le-Street generated more than £25 million for the local economy.
“We believe the project is transformational,” he said.
Hotel operator Hilton has expressed an interest in running the development, which the club says will also help attract visitors and boost tourism spending across County Durham.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
