Ten years after the Tour de France came to Yorkshire, maybe the region can finally build on the energy and enthusiasm - Stewart Arnold

The decision to host the opening stages in Yorkshire was met with no little excitement and anticipation from both locals and cycling enthusiasts worldwide. It presented an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Yorkshire’s rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and vibrant communities to a global audience. The event united cities, towns, and villages across the county in a shared celebration of sport and community spirit. Streets were adorned with yellow bicycles and crowds gathered en masse waving their white rose flags and cheering on the competitors.

The Tour de France had a profound economic impact on the region's local communities. The event drew an unprecedented number of visitors from across the globe, with estimates suggesting that nearly three million spectators lined the streets to witness the Grand Départ. This influx of tourists led to a substantial boost in revenue for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. Small towns and villages along the race route experienced a surge in demand for accommodation and hospitality, often filling rooms months in advance and prompting some residents to open their homes to visitors. Pubs and cafes capitalised on increased traffic by offering special menus and extended hours.

Beyond immediate economic gains, this global exposure fostered a renewed sense of pride among residents. The successful hosting of such a prestigious event reinforced Yorkshire's identity as not just part of England but as a region capable of staging world-class events on an international stage in its own right. As someone said to me at the time, ‘if we can do a bike race so well, imagine what we could do if we had control over our education and transport in the region’. In essence, the 2014 Tour de France served as a catalyst for celebrating and strengthening Yorkshire’s cultural identity on both national and international stages and gave a window on what could be for ‘God’s Own’.

So, in many ways, the 2014 Tour de France should have been a game changer and for a while it felt that way. However, it was almost as if this sense of regional pride was an embarrassment to the powers that be. They did not approve. It was only the Scottish independence referendum later the same year which forced the Cameron Government to think about the English regions, firstly through the Northern Powerhouse proposal and later the levelling up scheme. Both of these were modest at best and not what those who envisaged an impatient Yorkshire ready to release the region’s potential had in mind in those summer days of 2014.

Just as the Grand Depart might have been a significant moment in Yorkshire’s history, so too the General Election of July 4. Now the dust has settled on the election, is it the opportunity to ask what the future holds for Yorkshire?

To try and answer this question, The Yorkshire Society, in collaboration with the University of Hull, is hosting is an open forum on the options for the future governance of Yorkshire in York on July 31, appropriately enough the eve of Yorkshire Day. The event is intended to influence and provide insight for all political parties and especially the new government following the recent General Election.

In April 2021, along with The Yorkshire Society, I launched its ‘Big Yorkshire Conversation’ in what we hoped would be the start of a wide-ranging discussion about the future of the region. Phase 1 featured a survey, the biggest of its kind, asking the people of Yorkshire to pause and think about Yorkshire’s image, identity and sense of Yorkshireness. The survey was a huge success with nearly 5,000 respondents and some clear pointers as to how people think about Yorkshire’s brand, identity, place and future governance.

Now, in the wake of the General Election and, coincidentally, 50th anniversary of the hugely impactful 1974 Local Government Act, The Big Yorkshire Conversation Phase 2 will take place. It will build on that successful survey with a public forum and open discussion on the future governance of Yorkshire.

The 2014 Tour de France did more than just pass through Yorkshire; it left an indelible mark that momentarily enriched the region's economic vitality, cultural vibrancy, and communal identity. Maybe, ten years after that event, Yorkshire can finally build on that energy and enthusiasm.

Stewart Arnold is a lecturer in the Hull University Business School. The link to register for the Forum on the Future of Yorkshire event is here: https://theyorkshiresociety.org/event/forum-on-the-future-governance-of-yorkshire/