12 Jul 2024

East Midlands businesses reflect on Euros trade impact

Amid 2024’s sporting summer and ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 final, East Midlands businesses have told East Midlands Chamber of their experience adapting to demand.

East Midlands Airport Head of Corporate Affairs Ioan Reed-Aspley said: “We know that major events in Europe can add to the increase we’re seeing in passenger numbers, with around 774,000 expected to travel through the airport during the summer holidays.

“The last flight to Berlin in time for the Euros final, on Saturday night, is full and we expect Eastern Airways’ daily flights to Paris to fill up for the Olympics which get underway in a fortnight. Our aim is always to make our customers’ experience effortless – and we hope that the Lions and Team GB also have a smooth journey to victory!”

Manager of the Castle Inn, Castle Donington Abi Stratton said: “As a typical non-sports pub we absolutely love seeing our whole local community come together and we’re so grateful we have the space to be able to accommodate that within our business. Let’s hope that England is just as successful in the final so we can continue the celebrations not only just this weekend but continuously after the final with the community”

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The England team have done brilliantly and the hospitality industry have been heroes too, playing a key part in creating offers, attracting customers, embracing the feelgood vibe and getting people together to enjoy the games on big screens, with a bite to eat. We have an abundance of great pubs, restaurants and hotels across the East Midlands.  When you add buying kit, buying merchandise – all of this injects cash into the region’s economy. I wish the best to our members for a prosperous weekend and to England for what’ll hopefully be a great match”