NEWCASTLE is the latest city to announce it will bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
Event organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), had previously decided the event cannot be held in war-torn Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
Newcastle City Council has now announced it will join a variety of UK cities including London, Manchester and Glasgow in bidding to host the annual music competition.
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NewcastleGateshead Initiative is delivering the bid on behalf of Newcastle City Council, with its destination director Ian Thomas saying: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to welcome a huge number of international visitors, performers and media to the north east of England and to showcase our world-class culture, rich heritage and vibrant region to the world.
“The potential impact of Newcastle hosting Eurovision 2023 is phenomenal. Eurovision will play a significant role in rejuvenating and sustaining our visitor economy, supporting our businesses and creating an even better place for our residents.
“We’ve seen other large events such as the European Professional Rugby Club finals attract 95,000 fans to the region which contributed £24 million to our visitor economy in 2019, and World Transplant Games also in 2019 brought in attendees from over 50 countries which pushed hotel occupancy rates up by 13 per cent, supporting the hospitality supply chain and helping to sustain jobs within the industry.
“Eurovision will be on an even bigger scale, and we welcome this fantastic opportunity to bring this to the region.”
According to the BBC – which broadcasts the contest in the UK and will make the selection alongside the EBU – the winner will be chosen in a two-stage process against requirements that assess the city’s capacity and capability.
Once all applications have been received, a shortlist will be announced on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on August 12.
The host city is expected to be announced by the autumn.
Northumberland County Council cabinet members have thrown their support behind the bid.
County councillor Wendy Pattison said: "I support the Newcastle bid as our region has so much to offer, including historical locations beautiful beaches, leisure activities, and wonderful people, the benefits to businesses and therefore, employment opportunities are significant."
Cllr Gordon Stewart added: "I hope the Newcastle bid is successful, as this would have major short and long-term benefits to our communities.
"Visitors will sample the many regional attractions and hopefully, return and tell their friends how wonderful our county is to live work visit learn or invest in.
"I would encourage everyone to get involved if the bid is successful, including all our businesses."
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