Partner Article

Leisure group prepares for World Cup victory

AS football fans from across the North East ready themselves for an epic World Cup feast, a Washington based leisure group is poised for record sales and expansion throughout the region.

Principle Leisure, which manages a variety of bars and restaurants across the North East, is set for an influx in trade after two weeks of careful planning and preparation.

Launched in 1995, the firm already has a string of high profile venues throughout the UK and is now looking forward to creating three new food and drink establishments in the region and taking on additional staff.

Nick Berg, sales and marketing manager for Principle Leisure Ltd, said: “We’re pulling out all the stops to make sure our locals and new customers are happy over the World Cup.

“As a business we’re performing well, we’ve put lots of hard work into making sure the tournament is a success for us and for football fans. We also hope to have three new venues created in the North East in the not to distant future.

“The World Cup is obviously going to be the big news this summer and we wanted to give fans a true taste of the action – not just with live screenings but with a chance to sample all the nation’s beers as well. If Italy plays it’ll be Peroni, Spain, San Miguel.”

If the African nations do progress further than expected, Principal Leisure has also promised to import new beers to keep in line with their World Cup theme.

The company is offering screenings at three of its venues - Riverbar at Fatfields, Washington, Bar @ San Lorenzo at Old Church in Cramlington and Establishment at Low Row Sunderland, with drink promotions tied in to suit each match.

Meanwhile, the NGI World Cup Bid director has said it’s vital that the region’s businesses don’t forget England’s 2018 World Cup bid, as Newcastle looks to play host to the largest football tournament on Earth.

Mark Jackson said: “Hosting World Cup football in Newcastle and Gateshead really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the economic benefit would run into the millions.

“Newcastle and Gateshead would attract worldwide attention and coverage over the coming eight years in the run up to the event. The tournament would have a hugely positive impact on our local economy.

“With around 50% of our visitors estimated to walk around the city, coupled with major international gateways through Newcastle International Airport and Port of Tyne, good UK rail connectivity, and an established Metro system, Newcastle and Gateshead has all the necessary transport infrastructure in place to host a major influx of both domestic and international visitors.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .