The Tour Of Britain could be coming to Congleton this September.
Councillors discussed the opportunity to host the start of a leg of the 2021 cycling event at an online Congleton Town Council meeting on Thursday.
The council agreed in principle to commit £30,000 to host the start of a stage, with chief officer David McGifford authorised to negotiate terms and conditions with race organisers SweetSpot. Any negotiated deal would then have to be approved by councillors at a future meeting.
The entire project would depend on Government covid restrictions being loosened and guidelines followed, it was agreed.
Councillors said they were pleased to be asked to host the start and aware of the positive benefits for the town and the community after Congleton previously hosted a Tour of Britain stage in 2016.
Councillors said they were keen to give the town, residents and businesses the opportunity to “experience the lift that comes with being part of a national sporting event, which can be enjoyed by all generations.”
It was estimated that the 2016 event attracted 16,000 people to the town, many businesses reported a significant increase in trade and the general feeling was that it was a “fabulous day for Congleton”, the meeting heard.
Before a final decision is made, councillors said they wanted to be confident that the £30,000 would be a good investment for the town and that residents and businesses would be able to benefit from the event in a safe and covid-19 secure way.
