Cumbria is aiming to turn the global spotlight of the 2027 Tour de France into long-term economic growth.
Leaders from across the county attended UKREiiF in Leeds this week, using the event to highlight schemes worth hundreds of millions of pounds and to attract interest from developers and investors.
A cycling-themed event featuring Sir Bradley Wiggins formed part of the programme, offering an opportunity to engage potential partners while drawing attention to Cumbria’s role as a future host of the world-famous race.
Cumbria is due to host two stages of the Tour de France in 2027, an event expected to draw a global television audience of hundreds of millions.
Local leaders believe the exposure could help boost tourism and bring in new investment, if it is effectively linked to ongoing development plans.
Among the projects being promoted are St Cuthbert’s Garden Village in Carlisle, a large-scale housing scheme, and the £200 million Barrow Rising regeneration programme.
Opportunities in clean energy, port development, transport links and manufacturing are also being highlighted.
The approach is based on using the international attention generated by the race to showcase what Cumbria has to offer, both as a place to visit and to invest.
Comparisons have been drawn with Yorkshire’s experience of hosting the Tour’s Grand Départ in 2014, which generated more than £100 million for the regional economy and attracted large crowds of spectators from the UK and overseas.
John Barradell, interim chief executive of Cumbria Combined Authority, said the aim is to build momentum ahead of 2027 and ensure the benefits are felt beyond the event itself.
He said: “We want to make sure this isn’t just about a few days of global exposure. It’s about using that moment to support long-term growth, bring in investment and deliver projects that benefit communities across Cumbria.”
Local authorities say they are working together at UKREiiF to present a joined-up offer to investors, covering housing, regeneration, energy and infrastructure.
The combined authority was only recently established, and leaders say new devolved powers are helping to speed up decision-making and delivery.
Councillor Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council, said the focus is on turning interest into practical outcomes.
He said: “This is about getting projects off the ground, bringing investment into the area and making sure local people see real benefits in terms of jobs and opportunities.”
Angela Jones, director of thriving places at Westmorland and Furness Council, added that events such as UKREiiF are important for raising Cumbria’s profile nationally.
She said: “It’s a chance to show the breadth of what Cumbria has to offer and to connect directly with people who can help bring forward investment.”
Sir Bradley Wiggins, who appeared at UKREiiF to speak to invited guests in the Cumbria Pavilion, said the Tour de France represented a significant opportunity for the county.
He said: “I think for me, knowing the impact it particularly had on Yorkshire and the legacy it left on cycling in Yorkshire, is huge.
“People still talk about those stages in Yorkshire today. If Cumbria can put that kind of spectacle on, that show, the legacy for the next five, 10, 20 years could service a generation and change and impact a generation’s lives.”
Across the conference, Cumbria representatives are holding meetings and discussions aimed at developing partnerships and progressing key schemes. A dedicated pavilion has been set up as a base for presentations and networking.
With just over a year until the Tour’s UK stages begin, leaders say the focus will now be on building interest, progressing developments and ensuring the county is ready to make the most of the opportunity when it arrives.
UKREiiF is a three-day event which concludes today, Thursday, May 21.
