Banners welcoming visitors to July’s Investec Ashes Test Match at Trent Bridge will adorn sites across the city and county as Nottinghamshire prepares to welcome capacity crowds and a global television audience running to hundreds of millions.
The eye catching visuals are the result of a partnership between Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Experience Nottinghamshire who have formed a working group to maximise the opportunities afforded by the staging of a global sporting event in the city.
"Having a united branding presence establishes that that we’re supportive of the ripple effect for businesses and that everyone is behind our efforts to host matches of this stature.” Lisa Pursehouse
Installation is well underway ahead of the start of the series on Wednesday 10 July with headline sites on the front of the Council House on Old Market Square, Central Avenue in West Bridgford and Nottingham Station.
“In our bid to stage Ashes Test matches in Nottinghamshire, we placed a lot of emphasis on the spirit of collaborative working between our Club and public sector bodies and their continued support allows us to make the most of staging international cricket here,” said Lisa Pursehouse, Chief Executive at Trent Bridge.
“We want ticket holders to spend time exploring the city and county and to enjoy our bars, restaurants, transport infrastructure and nightlife. Having a united branding presence establishes that that we’re supportive of the ripple effect for businesses and that everyone is behind our efforts to host matches of this stature.”
Trent Bridge is the only venue outside of London set to stage Investec Ashes Tests in both 2013 and 2015 with independent economic impact reports estimating a £29.2 million injection off the back of international cricket matches at Trent Bridge between now and 2016.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Councillor Alan Rhodes said: “Nottinghamshire is already known internationally for its strong sporting history and the forthcoming Ashes Test at Trent Bridge will again put the county in the global spotlight this summer.
“The occasion presents an excellent opportunity for us all to promote tourism, culture and everything else that our county has to offer.”
Images of the venue, city and county will be broadcast live around the world. More than 500 million people tuned into watch the semi-final off ICC World Twenty20 in 2009 with similar interest expected for the Ashes Test.