A legal bid to stop the Etape Caledonia cycle event being staged in Highland Perthshire again has angered local businesses keen to tap into the £1 million annual economic boost.
News that pressure group ACRE (Anti-Closed Road Events) is seeking to have the cycle trial declared illegal has sparked a furious backlash.
“As one of the businesses affected by the road closures, we fully support Etape Caledonia and all it brings to Highland Perthshire,” said Kate McDiarmid from House of Menzies. “The increase in cycle visitors throughout the year is very notable and we couldn’t possibly achieve the same level of advertising for the whole area in the national media.
“The objectors to the event do not represent all businesses and we wholeheartedly distance ourselves from their views. We are looking forward to Etape Caledonia 2012 and may it firmly find a place in the Highland Perthshire calendar for many years to come.”
Businessman Donald Riddell from Highland Safaris highlighted the benefits.
“Not only has it provided economic benefit to us in the run-up to the race but also galvanised an amazing enthusiasm for mountain and road biking in Highland Perthshire, and can only be seen as a huge positive for the area,” he said.
Tom Harrison, owner of the Loch Tummel Inn, which is also on the Etape route, echoed those sentiments.
“I can’t imagine a better form of advertising for my business and the local area,” he said. “We have some fairly strong evidence that many of these competitors return, not just for the event but all year round.
“We have a number of guests who stayed with us in May 2009 and have since visited on more than one occasion, even introducing family and friends to our inn.”
Peter Guthrie, development manager with the Highland Perthshire Destination Management Organisation, was also in no doubt about the worth of the event.
“Etape Caledonia brings benefits to the whole of Highland Perthshire. From speaking both to participants and their friends and families, we know that they fill accommodation right across the area, often for several days,” he said.
“They also tell us how much they enjoy coming here not just for the cycling event, but for everything else Highland Perthshire has to offer, and that they will return. And, very importantly, we know that many will spread the word about this fantastic part of Scotland.”
Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure convener, John Kellas, welcomed the response from companies to the event.
“The economic benefits from an event of this nature are clear but the best evidence comes direct from the businesses themselves,” he said. “I am delighted Etape is boosting the local economy and, importantly, encouraging visitors to return again and again to enjoy Perthshire’s many pleasures.”
Photo by Flickr user bcran.