Arena plan gets warm welcome (From Gazette & Herald)

Arena plan gets warm welcome

TRADERS have welcomed ambitious plans to bring a major exhibition centre to Ryedale.

After a lengthy application process, businessman Simon Boak has finally received approval from the Government's regional office in Leeds for a 4,000 square metre events building at the Showground, off the A169 just outside Pickering.

The site, which hosts popular events like rallies, will hold indoor exhibitions and conferences - bringing visitors to Ryedale throughout the year.

"I think one of the big benefits will be that the exhibition centre will bring quality events to the area out of season," said Mr Boak.

"Malton, Pickering and the rest of Ryedale are busy during the main school holidays, but the rest of the time tourism can be pretty quiet.

"Anything that brings people to the area from October onwards has to be good.

"I think the main benefit would be the increase in business the centre will bring to the local area. People coming to exhibitions and conferences will stay in hotels, visit pubs and restaurants in the district."

He claimed the estimated £1 million boost to the local economy that this year's Trackrod Rally Yorkshire provided was "small fry" compared to what the new exhibition centre could provide with events throughout the year.

"We were very busy the weekend of the rally," said James Coverdale, manager of the Cottage Leas Hotel, at Middleton, near Pickering.

"People visiting the exhibition centre will stay in the area so I'm sure we'll notice an increase in trade. It's great news - bring it on."

Catherine Stephens, who runs the Fox and Hounds at Sinnington, said: "During the rally it was a case of trying to accommodate everybody. We were booked up ages and ages before the event. If this means more trade for us during the winter months too it can't be a bad thing."

Sara Tomasi, the manager of Florio's, in Yorkersgate, Malton, said: "It's good news. Florio's is a busy restaurant, but when these events are organised we're even busier."

Pickering councillor Natalie Warriner said she hoped the development would boost trade in Pickering, especially if people travelled from the site to local cafes and restaurants, but was concerned it would cause more traffic jams.

Updated: 11:29 Thursday, October 16, 2003