Newport Nocturne boosted local economy by £500,000

More than 15,000 people from across the country turned out to cheer on the cyclists as the floodlit race was held in Newport for the first time in four years.

Organisers, who released to visitor numbers today, said that half a million pounds had been spent in businesses across Newport and in the wider Telford area thanks to the event.

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, cabinet member for education and skills said events tourism was an area of major growth for Telford and its surrounding areas.

“The Newport Nocturne has brought together local people, UK visitors and pro athletes to experience a unique event with significant national profile,"she said.

"Telford is an exceptional sporting destination home to Sport England’s Lilleshall National Sport Centre, Dawley BMX Track which hosts the UK BMX Championships and not forgetting the Olympic size facilities at the Telford Ice Rink.

"Events tourism is a major growth sector for us here in Telford. We will continue to capitalise on opportunities to grow our visitor economy through events like this that are great for our local people and great for our visitors too."

Organisers Di and Nick Jeggo were thrilled with how well received the event went down after its four-year break, especially as this year’s event was held in memory of Nick’s father, Mick, who founded the event.

They said they were thrilled with how many amateur cyclists had turned out to ride the course ahead of the first race – the first time it has been done at the Newport Nocturne.

“After a four-year break we weren’t sure what sort of crowd we’d get, Di said. "We needn’t have worried, because it was massive.

"There were a few stand out points for us. The Ride the Course event was much more popular than we could have imagined for its first running. We had all sorts of bikes, including recumbents and lots of families, mixed in with a few pros checking out the circuit.

Changes

"At times it was difficult for the crossing point marshals to find a gap between riders to let people cross – a nice problem to have."

The couple’s next work will be the Queen Victoria Cycle Cross, which is an off-road event taking place around Blists Hill Victorian Museum next year.

They are also thinking about when the next Nocturne might be held.

As well as trying to match the quality of previous years, the return of the Newport Nocturne saw a variety of new changes.

There was more of a festival feel, with live music and entertainment throughout the evening. A giant screen meant crowds could see the action no matter where they were.

Thanks to extra funding through the Telford50 celebrations, the Nocturne received advertising on screens along the M6, and efforts were made to increase the amount of attention on social media.

Plenty of big names came to the town to enjoy the event.

From Wolverhampton cycling legend Hugh Porter on the microphone to competitors like three-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion Ed Clancy, there were plenty of recognisable faces throughout the event.

Wolverhampton cyclist Andrew Tennant, of Canyon Eisberg, won the Nocturne.

“If I could win a race, this is a good one to win," he said.