£1m event windfall gets the thumbs up from the Deputy PM

Monday, June 14, 2010

The financial benefits reaped by Sheffield's local economy following next month's Cliffhanger event are set to be close on £1m.

The value of the ground-breaking family outdoor expo event has grown year on year since it started in 2007.

But the landing of the UK leg of the IFSC Bouldering World Cup, which takes place for the first time at Cliffhanger, means a massive jump in the event's value thanks to athletes and supporters flying in from all over the world.

The value to the city since the event started is set to top £950,000 and includes everything from hotel stays to local contractors being used to construct the huge competition climbing walls.

Staunch support for the event has come from Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, who was a visitor in 2009.

He said: "It's brilliant to see the Cliffhanger event thriving in Sheffield and providing a platform to inspire residents to try their hand at new, unusual and exciting activities, as well as attracting visitors to our city from further afield.

"I congratulate the event's organisers and have no doubt that this year's festival will be every bit as successful as the last".

Cliffhanger is set to feature competitions and demonstrations in climbing, orienteering, kayaking, mountain biking, running, skateboarding, free running, adventure racing and more.

The activities are aimed at people of all ages.

Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, the Council's Cabinet member for Communities said:

"Cliffhanger has grown to become one of the biggest outdoor events of its kind in the UK and gives people the opportunity to watch experts as well as trying out many different activities that they may not otherwise have the chance to do. Sheffield is well and truly on the outdoor events map nationally and internationally now and I am sure this year's Cliffhanger will be the best so far."

The event is the brainchild of Sheffield City Council's Parks & Countryside Department and has been developed to its current level with support from Heason Events.

There will also be scuba diving, angling, kite flying, assault courses, caving, a massive bargain sales area, music, plenty of children's rides and other activities, food stalls, a market and much, much more.

Cliffhanger spokesperson Kevin Cheetham said: "We've always strived to make Cliffhanger the perfect event for anyone from the serious climber to the family that enjoys a leisurely stroll but this year we are really set to move up a gear with the addition of the IFSC Bouldering World Cup ."

Cliffhanger is set to take place in Sheffield's Millhouses Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4.

More details about Cliffhanger are available by visiting the regularly
up-dated: www.cliff-hanger.co.uk/news/

The event is backed by Arnold Laver, Blacks, British Military Fitness, Decathlon, Berghaus, Lookers Ford, Sheffield Hallam University, The Climbing Works, UK Climbing and Welcome To Yorkshire.

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Issued on behalf of Cliffhanger by All Credit Media. More information from Neil Anderson on 0777 929 2212 or neil@allcreditmedia.com