Connections are crucial to the success of any business. Visit our latest news to keep up to date with the latest business news from across the region.
Become a Chamber member today and access a range of benefits to connect, support and grow your business
Connections are crucial to the success of any business. Visit our latest news to keep up to date with the latest business news from across the region.
Connections are crucial to the success of any business. Visit our latest news to keep up to date with the latest business news from across the region.
Connections are crucial to the success of any business. Visit our latest news to keep up to date with the latest business news from across the region.
Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022
The Stats:
What is the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022?
The Birmingham Commonwealth Games will take place between the 27th July and 7th August 2022.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 71 nations and territories. It encompasses almost one third of the world’s population. The Commonwealth Games take place every four years and bring together athletes from across the Commonwealth for 11 days of competitive sport. It is viewed by a global audience of up to 1.5bn. The Commonwealth Games Federation is the international organisation responsible for the overall direction and control of the Commonwealth Games. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games Organising Committee will be responsible for delivering the 2022 Games.
The games will involve several major infrastructure developments, namely: the development of a 1,000 home “athletes’ village” in Perry Barr, a £70m expansion of the Alexander Stadium and the construction of a £60m aquatics centre in Sandwell. According to Birmingham City Council, the Games are expected to create on average 4,526 jobs a year until 2022, 950 after.
This page will be kept up to date as more information becomes available. See below for a fuller briefing paper.
How might the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 affect my business?
In the run up to the Games, an array of products and services will need to be procured in order to ensure the success of the games. These will range from large scale infrastructure to the Commonwealth Games branding, to catering and training. In addition, there will be further supply chain opportunities created by the organisations delivering the major direct contracts.
All contracts over a value of £10k will be advertised via the Birmingham 2022 Business Portal.
In November 2018 the 2022 Commonwealth Games held a business briefing. You can view a recording of that briefing here.
Between 500,000 and 1million visitors are expected to visit the area during the Games bringing with them significant consumer spend and demand for accommodation.
The Games will involve the recruitment and deployment of up to 12,500 volunteers. In due course, the Organising Committee will be looking to work with employers as well as individuals in the region on recruiting and support for volunteers.
The Birmingham bid for the Commonwealth Games also proposed a major international business expo and cultural programme of events to coincide with the Games. Both of these initiatives are currently under development.
What is the GBCC’s position on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022?
The games are an incredible opportunity for the city. They are a chance to both celebrate and demonstrate our city’s successes to the world, and consolidate and accelerate efforts to continue its impressive growth trajectory. The Games will bring people (and their consumer spend), profile and prestige to the city as well as delivering infrastructure investment and upgrades. It is an opportunity to boost skills with up to 12,500 trained volunteers needed for the games and over 4,500 jobs a year expected to be created up to 2022.
The GBCC will be working hard to ensure local businesses are aware of, and ready to bid for, contracts and supply chain opportunities associated with the games to ensure maximum local economic benefit. We will also be supporting the spirit of the games by encouraging businesses to engage with legacy and volunteering activity.
The Games are also an opportunity to develop and expand trading links between local businesses and Commonwealth markets. There are 2.3 billion people living in Commonwealth nations. By 2020 it is forecast that the Commonwealth will have more than a billion middle class consumers, yet currently only 9% of British exports go to Commonwealth nations.
How can the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce help?
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce:
- Will be keeping our members plugged in to the latest developments and opportunities surrounding the Commonwealth Games though this page, our ChamberLink Daily newsletter (click here) and member events (click here)
- Will continue to work closely with stakeholders to maximise the potential positive impact of the Games.
- Are proud to be delivering the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce; a membership-based international gateway for firms wishing to develop bilateral trade opportunities in Commonwealth countries (click here).
- In due course, the GBCC will also be working closely with stakeholders to understand the impact of the Games on travel arrangements and to help local businesses prepare for them.