The area’s pubs and breweries should prepare to give visitors the perfect taste of Yorkshire when the Tour de France passes through next summer.
This is the call from the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, which wants businesses in Keighley, Haworth and the rest of the Worth Valley to make the most of the influx of visitors from around the world.
With up to a million visitors a day expected to descend on the county for the world-famous cycle race, the Keighley and Craven branch of CAMRA is encouraging pubs to provide a warm welcome.
It has suggested events like themed beer festivals, fun days or even “Tour free zones” for non-cycling-enthusiasts.
CAMRA has offered to help publicise any events, and has already released a list of pubs that are either on the trail or within three miles of the route.
Anne Berry, from CAMRA, said: “Yorkshire is expecting millions of fans at the roadside to cheer on the champions of the sport. We want to encourage businesses to take advantage of the tourists that are going to be in the area for this race, and for the increase in cyclists visiting the region.”
She said that with the route passing through many rural areas, pubs would make the ideal hubs for people wanting to see the racers in a less urban environment.
One local business that aims to make the most of Le Tour is Keighley-based Timothy Taylor. The Tour will not only pass the brewery, but also a number of its pubs, including The Fleece in Haworth. A spokesman said: “It is still early days, but we’re certainly planning plenty of events and promotions to tie in with the race. It is a huge event so we’re certainly planning for it.”
Any pubs with events planned for Le Tour can contact CAMRA on keighleyand cravencamra.org.uk.
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