Updated: YORK’S economy will pocket a multimillion-pound boost with news that the UK Snooker Championship is to return to the Barbican later this year.
The tournament – second only to the World Championship – will be held in the refurbished entertainment complex from December 3 to December 11, and will be watched by a worldwide TV audience of hundreds of millions.
Thrilled York tourism boss Gillian Cruddas described the announcement as a “real coup” for the city, bringing multimillion-pound benefits to the crucial tourism economy in the long term.
She said there would be an immediate boost to business through players and spectators using hotels, guest houses, restaurants and pubs across the city, but also spin-offs from the media attention generated for York across Britain and as far away as China which could potentially be translated later into extra visits.
She believed the coverage would also encourage other sports to consider holding their tournaments at the Barbican. “Sports tourism is an area we are keen to develop in York,” she said.
The Championship, which features top players such as John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Ding Junhui, was staged at the Barbican Centre from 2001 to 2006, but then moved to Telford in Shropshire after the complex shut down. SMG Europe will re-open the Barbican next month after a £2 million refurbishment.
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said he was “thrilled and excited” to be heading back to the Barbican.
“The top players had six happy years there and they all talk about the superb set-up of the arena and the excellent backstage facilities at the venue.
“The fans in York always generated a cracking atmosphere and no doubt they can’t wait for another chance to see the very best in the world in action.”
China’s Ding Junhui, who beat Steve Davis in the 2005 UK Championship final in York, said he was really pleased to be going back to York. “It’s one of our biggest tournaments and winning it in 2005 was one of the best moments of my career.
“I’ve got great memories of playing at the Barbican Centre as the atmosphere is special.
“While we played there I made a lot of friends in York, especially among the Chinese community, so I’m looking forward to meeting them again and hopefully having their support in the tournament.’ Nick Reed, of SMG, said it had been working behind the scenes to try to re-instate the event. “We have developed a great relationship with World Snooker Limited and we are delighted to be working with them to bring the UK Championship home to York.”
City of York Council’s leisure boss, Coun Nigel Ayre, hailed the announcement as “fantastic news”
for the city, saying it would bring a great deal of attention to York and boost the local economy.
He said: “By taking the time to get the procurement process right to find a new operator we have ensured that the venue is now in a position to secure big events like this.”
Labour group leader James Alexander said it was “good news for York”.
But he said: “It is just a shame the Barbican has been empty for the last seven years when we could have had more such world class events.”
Visit York said last year it estimated the Barbican’s revival could bring £6.25 million a year into the city through conferences and between £3 million and £6 million annually through entertainment.
Snooker return great for York
AFTER too many years in the wilderness, the Barbican Centre is set to reclaim its place as one of York’s premier venues.
The builders are on schedule, artists have confirmed and the city is buzzing with expectation. Now there is even more good news, UK Snooker Championship organisers have confirmed the event will return in December.
This is a real vote of confidence and a feather in the cap for York and the Barbican, because the decision has been made before the revamped hall has opened.
Players have always enjoyed coming here. China’s Ding Junhui says he made many friends in York when he beat Steve Davis in the 2005 final. And World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn goes one better, saying says he is thrilled and excited at the prospect.
Naturally, we share their enthusiasm and are delighted that the star names are coming back to where they belong.
York tourism chief Gillian Cruddas says the snooker tournament will also bring a multimillion-pound boost to York’s tourism economy in the long term, so everyone will be a winner, whoever takes the coveted title.
Much has been said about the tragedy of the Barbican being empty so long, but at last all that is behind us and the centre is finally rising from the ashes. That has to be fantastic news for everyone in York.
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