Leicester and Leicestershire’s ‘Business of Sport Network’ Connecting to achieve growth

There are extensive sporting assets and business growth in Leicestershire and Leicester, and the 'Business of Sport Network' aims to help businesses grow, through training and skills, increased profile and contacts and connections.

The Network is also looking to support local suppliers with products or services that are ready to be sold on a national scale linked to sports manufacturing or professional services (linked to sport, physical activity or wellbeing).

Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport (LRS) are working with a range of partners including the Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) to create the Network as a single point of contact for support.

A recent review of the Sport Economy in Leicester and Leicestershire tells us that "in 2017 there were 490 VAT and/or PAYE registered businesses in the Sport and Physical Activity sector across the LLEP (Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership) area, up from 390 in 2010 and 465 in 2015". "The number of businesses in the sector has increased more rapidly in Leicester and Leicestershire than it has nationally, by 26% since 2010 (compared to a 21% increase nationally) and by 5% since 2015 (compared with 4% for England as a whole)."

Chris Traill, Chair of the Culture Board with representation from across the Boroughs and Districts said: "We have a vision for Leicester and Leicestershire to be the premier, high performing location for the business of physical activity and sport. This is one part of a wider plan to achieve this vision. Join other businesses in driving the momentum and growing your business and the sports sector".

Ali Clements, Economy and Sport Growth Manager at LRS said, "There is incredible amount of support available to businesses, including sports businesses. 82% of businesses in our sector are micro businesses (less than 9 employees) this doesn't exclude you for accessing all kinds of support. One of the challenges is identifying what support you want and then where to find it. That's where we come in."

A series of events are planned to get underway this autumn, kicking off with an initial FREE Business of Sport Breakfast Network meeting at the Morningside Arena Leicester Arena on Thursday 27^th September 2018. Businesses can speak first hand to Ian Evley, Business Adviser for the LLEP, who brings extensive sporting and businesses experience and who will be providing advice on how to access support via the Business Gateway.

Ian said, "Sport and business are both passions of mine and they both make a substantial contribution to the local economy. There are significant resources across the County to support business growth, I very much look forward to working with LRS and being a part of linking businesses up with this. Exciting times ahead for businesses in the sports and physical activity sector who want to grow and develop."

For more information and how you can shape the Business of Sport Network visit www.lrsport.org/businessofsport