‘Just brilliant’: Yorkshire firms reflect on Tour De France legacy as Femmes race to hit region in 2027

In 2027, businesses are hoping for a similar boost, following the announcement that the women’s Tour De France race – the Tour de France Femmes – will take place largely across the county, beginning in Leeds city centre and ending its second stage in Sheffield.

One of the first businesses in the region to embrace the event, Langsett’s Bank View Cafe adorned its outer walls with red spots in 2014, mirroring the jerseys worn by some cyclists on the route.

Over a decade on, the cafe’s owner, Pete Sparks, told The Yorkshire Post the move had been “transformative” for the business.

“We’ve always been a cyclists cafe, so it was always going to be a special moment in 2014,” he said.

“You couldn’t ask for anything better to come past your door. The cafe was small when I took it over 19 years ago. It's kind of grown steadily, but it was a small cafe out on the edge of the wilderness, and not many people knew about it. It's been transformative for the business.”

Mr Sparks is now encouraging other businesses to embrace 2027’s event in a similar vein.

“If you plan it well, you'll obviously do well on the day, but you’ve really got to look at the long term, and look at it as a long term boost if you make the most of it,” he said.

“That would be my bit of advice. I think legacy is the word. Whatever you’re going to do, put a lot of effort into it. Make that effort count for the long-term, rather than just the day itself.”

Another business to embrace 2014’s tour was Bradford’s Pennine Cycles. At the time of the event, the company spoke to a number of businesses across the region about how they could make the most of the cycling boom.

Pennine Cycles co-owner, Sandra Corcoran, said that her and her husband's shop – often described by the pair as a “proper bike shop” – had seen a boost to business both before and after the Tour De France came to Yorkshire.

“It was just brilliant. There were more people coming in, and there was just always this buzz in the shop,” she said.

Mrs Corcoran now hopes 2027 will create a similar mood in independent bicycle shops across the region.

“I’m sure that the bike shops will do well,” she said, “It will encourage people to come in and ask ‘how do I get started in cycling?’

“There will definitely be a buzz around, and I’m hoping all the independent cycling businesses, and other businesses as well, get involved.”

Both Mrs Corcoran and Mr Sparks also hope the event could help to encourage more women to get involved in cycling, and in sports more generally, across the region.

“I think obviously there's a lot of barriers to cycling for women, so I'm hoping that this will help to break those barriers down,” said Mrs Corcoran.

“For women and girls to see these elite cyclists locally, that will hopefully spur them on.”

As well as providing a boost to independent businesses, the 2027 event also has the potential to bring in swathes of money to the region’s economy. A report led by Leeds City Council looking at 2014’s Tour De France found that the race was watched in person by approximately one in four people in the Yorkshire and the Humber region, attracting 113,000 visitors from outside the UK and generating £33m into the UK economy.

The report also found that the tour provided a £24.3m benefit to the accommodation sector in the host areas.

Speaking on the 2027 event, James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Yorkshire has a proven track record of staging elite level sporting events, with the region’s staging of the Grand Depart in 2014 having been a triumph.

“The fact that the women’s race is coming to Leeds in 2027 will be fantastic news for the city’s business community, who will benefit from increased footfall and profile in front of an international audience.

“Combined with the news that Elland Road is to be expanded and that Northern Powerhouse Rail is finally to be delivered, it feels like the region is getting its due recognition.”

Louisa Harrison-Walker, chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, also noted the major business boost which could be brought about by 2027’s Tour De France.

She said: “The Tour de France returning to the UK is wonderful news and to have the Tour de France Femmes coming through the Peak District to Sheffield is a phenomenal opportunity for our city. It shines a global spotlight on the beautiful landscapes surrounding our city and demonstrates Sheffield’s strength in hosting major sporting moments.

“Back in 2014, nearly three million people lined Yorkshire’s route, delivering a huge uplift in trade for local businesses, from hotels and cafes to shops and attractions, and embedding a lasting boost in visitor numbers and regional pride.

“We're excited to work with local businesses to make the most of the influx of spectators, media exposure, and cycling fans in the region.”

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin from the Headrow, in Leeds, on Friday, July 30. Sheffield will then host the finish to stage two the following day following a race along Snake Pass and finishing in Attercliffe.