Baton bears opportunity for our borough - president

What an exciting time it is for the region.

It was amazing to see the Queen 's Baton Relay arrive in Solihull on Tuesday night, led on the final part of its journey that day to Jubilee Gardens at the rear of Touchwood, by the Queen 's Grenadier Guards.

Thousands of locals lined the streets of the borough and baton organisers said that throughout the baton 's long journey, Solihull was one of the best attended highlights of its path. Well done Solihull.

Acclaimed architect for Touchwood, Eric Kuhne, always intended for the amphitheatre at Jubilee Gardens to be active with performance and entertainment for the community.

It 's a council-owned area and a space I 've never seen used before in my thirteen years living in the area. The only evidence I do recall is the centre 's opening in 2001 by the Queen.

Tuesday night then was a fitting platform for the Queen 's Grenadier Guards.

A huge well done to Solihull Council for putting this event together, ensuring safe passage of the Baton through the borough and celebrating its arrival in style with a concert from the Grenadier Guards and a community performance of On Yer Bike, an ode to Solihull 's association with the bicycle.

The council worked closely with local stakeholders to ensure the Solihull leg of the Queen 's Baton Relay was a success. Talks were already underway between Touchwood owners and the council to see how we can better unlock this space for the public.

Tuesday night has showcased just what could be achieved.

After a stunning Opening Ceremony last night, I 'm hugely excited to see the Games unfold and I can 't wait to see the action in person at both the Alexandra Stadium and here, closer to home at our NEC.

Here at Touchwood, like many businesses across the region, we don 't quite know what impact the Games will have on visitor numbers to our businesses.

And it 's unlikely we 'll understand the full impact for some time.

But it is an opportunity.

An opportunity to showcase who we are, what we can do and, importantly, where we are, to a global audience. Something I hope will open doors for so many of our businesses.

Let 's do this Solihull!

By Tony Elvin, president of Solihull Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Touchwood

Pictured: The Queen 's Grenadier Guards performing at the Jubilee Gardens