Businesses booming from Olympic effect

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THE SUCCESS of Team GB in London 2012 is having a knock-on effect in the Vale with businesses booming from the extravaganza.

Cash Converters, based in Oat Street, Evesham has seen a huge increase in bike sales ever since Bradley Wiggins struck Team GB's first gold medal in the 30th Olympiad.

And the 'Wiggo Effect' is taking place as the second hand goods retailer benefits from a 36 per cent increase in bike sales since August 1 with customers looking to grab bargains and test their appreciation for cycling.

Richard Pilgrim, business development manager, said: "Not only has the store in Evesham sold the majority of their bike stock but we have had people coming into store and registering an interest for particular bikes.

"We have also had witnessed an increase in the number of bikes being sold to us as people upgrade to a newer model as they start to take the sport more seriously.

"We have a lot to thank Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton, Chris Hoy and the team for this. August has been the most successful for bike sales in history of Cash Converters in the UK and this sales success further reinforces our first class reputation on the UK High Street."

Bosses at the Cotswold Conference Centre in Farncombe near Broadway have also announced the success of London 2012 has led to an increase in bookings by more than 50 per cent.

The award-winning centre, which welcomes delegates from around the world, has seen up 55 per cent of more businesses on its books this year compared to the same period in 2011. By the end of June bookings were up from £850,000 last year to £1.25million this year.

Richard Howdle, operations manager at the Cotswold Conference Centre, said: "There's no doubt the Olympics is having an impact by attracting businesses to the country.

"Our like-for-like sales have increased considerably, which I believe is due to the greater recognition we are getting as well as the so-called Olympic effect."

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