A public meeting was held in The British Legion, Castle Douglas on Wednesday 22 June to inform residents and business owners in Castle Douglas of the various benefits that the town will receive when the Tour of Britain arrives in September.
The Tour starts in Glasgow on Sunday 4 September, and the Day One finish will see world class cyclists sprint up King Street, bidding to take the coveted Yellow Jersey.
Last week’s well attended meeting featured a presentation from Tour of Britain Finish Manager Rob Kennison. Rob demonstrated to the audience exactly what the Tour would be bringing to Castle Douglas, gave a brief on the route the cyclists will take on the day of the race, and encouraged local businesses to really get behind the race, pointing out that on the previous two visits of the Tour the town had really embraced the race. Rob then took questions from those who attended – most looking to find out how they could positively get involved one the day of the race, and what opportunities will be available to the community on Sunday 4 September to put Castle Douglas on the map.
The meeting was jointly hosted by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Events Officer, Ian Barr. Ian explained the opportunities that locals have on the day. Local businesses will be invited to host stalls to keep spectators fed and watered throughout the day. Ian explained that work was already underway, and he was speaking to various local businesses with a view to having them ‘on site’ on the day of the race. The local community are also working with Cycling Scotland to work on pre-race activities to whip up the crowd! It is hoped that sprint cycling races will take place, with local school children having their chance to get a taste of a world class cycling stage finish.
Those who attended were also taken through how our Council is providing subsidised transport from all areas of the region, in a bid to make the finishing straight, and town of Castle Douglas a buzz of excitement on the day of Sunday 4 September. Attendees also learned of what our Council is doing in terms of marketing and advertising around the Tour, all of which was met with positivity from the audience. The meeting ended with a prize draw, with all those who attended being given the chance to win 2 tickets to VIP Hospitality on the day of the Tour in Caste Douglas. One lucky gentleman scooped the prize, and will be watching the race from the Tour’s gantry in September.
Councillor Colin Smyth, who is the Council Events Champion said of the meeting;
“We are committed to ongoing consultation with local communities that host major events, and the Tour of Britain is as big as they come! The meeting allowed residents and businesses the chance to quiz Rob from the tour face to face, and get assurances from our Council that we’re committed to making this the best Tour of Britain to visit the region yet. We are well on our way to achieving this, and by working with partners and community groups such as the Castle Douglas Development Forum, we will host a truly world class event. We are confident that the town will be a hive of activity on the day, and that locals and visitors alike will come out in force to see world class cycling in Dumfries and Galloway. Our Council’s top priority is to build the local economy, and by supporting events like the Tour of Britain, we will achieve this.”
