BOOKIES are not the only businesses in the North-East which are threatened with losing a small fortune if England make it all the way to the World Cup Final.
Business leaders estimate that every man hour lost costs industry in the region of up to £50.
The bills could soon stack up, with England scheduled to play their crunch match with Argentina at lunchtime on Friday, June 7.
Many businesses are now considering ways of keeping the fans working on the big match days.
Some of the biggest employers in the region are already making arrangements to keep morale and productivity high.
A spokesman for Northumbrian Water said: "Obviously the business has to go on, but we have a positive and relaxed approach to our people when it comes to watching key fixtures and there will be TV monitors available in some work spaces."
Chemical company DEFR, at Seal Sands, Teesside, said there were strict safety regulations regarding televisions and radios but matches would be shown at some places on site, and employees could take their radios in to listen to matches.
Nissan plans to install giant screens at its Sunderland factory for its workers to watch all the England games - with lost production time being made up in the week
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