Lord's worth millions to London

Date released: 6 September 2007

Marylebone Cricket Club is publishing an unprecedented report, by London Economics, which shows how the local and London economies benefit from major matches being staged at Lord's.

The report is based on the biggest-ever expenditure survey, involving almost 3,000 cricket fans, at a major match in Britain - the npower Test match, England v West Indies, at Lord's in May this year.

The 50-page report shows that this single Test's local economic impact was between £9.5 million and £10.8 million - supporting the equivalent of 133 to 151 full-time, year-round jobs.

London Economics calculated that the annual local economic impact of the major matches at Lord's is £26.6 million to £30.2 million. Their London-wide economic impact is similarly large - between £25.0 million and £29.5 million per annum.

The team from London Economics - led by Dr Gavan Conlon - also calculated how MCC could further increase the matches' local economic impact, and boost its own income, by increasing daily attendances to capacity levels more often.

The value of expansion

Looking further forward, the consultancy team estimated that a 5,000 increase in the ground's capacity would boost the matches' annual local economic impact by between £3.00 million and £3.86 million; a rise of 10,000 would increase it by £6.01 million to £7.72 million per annum.

However, if Lord's lost any of its current major matchdays, the adverse economic impact on the local area would be between £1.90 million and £2.16 million per day.

Keith Bradshaw: Keen to keep two Tests MCC's Secretary & Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw, commented: "After conducting some impressive research, London Economics have produced an excellent report. As well as being the first major economic study of a Test in England for ten years, it's based on the biggest-ever survey of spectators' spending at a major match.

"It will prove invaluable over the months ahead as we consult our Members on the development of a masterplan for the future of Lord's - when capacity issues will be high on everyone's agenda.

"I'm sure the report will also be widely read by our local stakeholders, who already know that we're keen to increase our capacity and to keep our current share of major matches - including two Tests per year. It's right for the players and, as this report shows, right for the local economy as well."

Dr Gavan Conlon, of London Economics, said: "We were delighted when MCC chose London Economics, after a tendering process, to conduct this research and produce this report.

"It's been a fascinating process, and we've loved the chance to work at Lord's. The opportunity to collect a large quantity of data and undertake a detailed economic analysis has allowed us to produce some very robust findings.

"We hope our report provides MCC, its Members and the local community with plenty of food for thought."

Local to Lord's

Murad Qureshi, a local resident and Assembly Member (AM) at the Greater London Authority, said: "This is a really fascinating report. Major matches at Lord's are clearly bringing a great deal of prosperity to the local area, as well as real economic benefits to London as a whole.

"By measuring the matches' economic impact, London Economics have made a major contribution to the debate about where these games should be played in the future.

"My view is crystal-clear. I want Lord's to keep its current share of major matches. It's 'The Home of Cricket'; it's where every cricketer wants to play; and it's a huge asset for London.

"Its sporting value has long been obvious; now its huge economic value has been proved, too."

The final major match of the season at Lord's will take place on Saturday, when England face India in the deciding game of the NatWest Series.