AN organisation to support small businesses has become the sole business sponsor of this year’s Tall Ships Race in Hartlepool.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has become the diamond sponsor of the event, which will see up to a million visitors descend on the Tees Valley town in August.
The FSB will be the sole business supporter and sponsor for the race, which will see about 100 vessels from about 20 countries, crewed by up to 6,000 young people from more than 30 countries, take part.
About £16m is expected to be pumped into Hartlepool, and £50m into the North-East economy, when the ships arrive in the town from Kristiansand, in Norway, in the second and final race.
Colin Griffiths, FSB Hartlepool chairman, said: “This is a huge investment from our organisation and a win-win situation for small businesses throughout the region.”
Michelle Daurat, Tall Ships project manager, said: “The support of the FSB can only serve to enhance the event.”
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