THE INDUSTRY LEISUREA YEAR OF ALTERNATIVES Friday, February 9, 2018 2018 In association with 2 THE JOURNAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 The Leisure Industry 2018 In association with > David Downing, valuation partner at Sanderson Weatherall > Sarah Smith, head of licensing at Sintons 2018 is set to be an exciting year for evolution. the North East leisure industry: not 2018 is likely to illustrate that only in terms of the huge programme beautifully with the exciting regener- of events scheduled to take place ation of a number of market places. within the region but also because of Emerging markets We can certainly expect some the development of exciting leisure changes in the Bigg Market, with offerings in Newcastle City Centre. regeneration works having started. The pinnacle of the year is sure to The opening of Revolucion de Cuba be the Great Exhibition of the North this year is set to kick start the trend taking place between June and towards an upmarket, food and September in and around Newcastle and pop-up events drink leisure offering in this area, and Gateshead. The event celebrates with the White Hart Yard operators the best of art, culture and design in and others hot on their heels to the region and will attract people of develop their sites. This will all ages and all walks of life. between the South and Scotland, it’s on the global map as a fantastic Similar Box Parks in the South undoubtedly complement the It will truly be a “once in a gratifying that an artist like Ed place to visit, study or work. Indeed, East have been hugely successful. ongoing leisure developments on lifetime” experience and seeks to Sheeran is playing three dates of his only recently, Newcastle was They encourage and promote local Grey Street and High Bridge. recreate the buzz of the North East latest tour in the North East, putting revealed as being the best place in up-and-coming artists and businesses Pilgrim Street is also set to make a Coast Exhibition of 1929 which gave Newcastle on a footing with the world to visit for 2018 by Rough creating a modern-day shopping mall major impact on the City’s leisure us Exhibition Park and the Palace of Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. Guides – an endorsement in itself. experience with a funky, eclectic offering. the Arts. With summer concerts being This all continues to boost the edge. Pending the building of the With that event having attracted scheduled at Alnwick Castle for economy and the fortunes of those You just have to go to Amble to see designated hotel and office com- over four million people, we can Madness and Il Divo (with promises who live and work here. how this style of operation even on a plexes in this area, the temporary expect a massive influx of tourists of more to come) and the Magic A more permanent variation of very small scale can change the development of STACK and the into the region from all over the Weekend again bringing thousands the pop-up event is also looking to dynamics of an area for the better. exciting plans for the Market Tavern world, not least because the 2018 of rugby league fans into the region make its mark on the region in the The more permanent “bricks and (including a deli and external garden Exhibition is billed to be the biggest in May, the overall vibe is positive. shape of STACK. This temporary Box mortar” sector of the leisure room) put the spotlight on the area. event in England this year. The importance of these events Park, made from over 40 shipping business should not fear the pop-up This complements the fantastic There is a definite sense in the and the impact they have on tourism containers, will create a retail and market as they attract new custom- leisure offerings already in that area industry that good times are here to shouldn’t be under-estimated. They leisure hub in the centre of Newcas- ers to the area. Strong venues and all the hard work put in by stay for the North East – and not promise a huge boost to the tle at the junction of Northumber- constantly review their offerings, Tyneside Cinema to make the area a before time. The huge efforts of the economies of both the leisure land Street and New Bridge Street moving, adapting and reinventing hub of art and culture. local authorities in securing events industry and the region, not only in West. This will be the first of its kind themselves to meet market expecta- All in all, 2018 is shaping up to be for the region should be recognised. the build-up to and during the in the region and will take up tions and the bars and restaurants of a great year. Let’s raise a glass to the Often overlooked as a corridor events, but they also put the region residence for a four-year period. Newcastle are no different in their Northern Lights continuing to shine. MAJOR EVENTS IN THE NORTH EAST 2018 Hamlet Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella Ed Sheeran Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland Pretenders, Simple Minds, KT (Royal Shakespeare Company) Theatre Royal St James Park 6/7/2018 Tunstall Northern Stage 17/4/2018 until 28/4/2018 8/6/2018 to 10/6/2018 Emirates Riverside 20/2/2018 until 24/2/2018 Madness 19/8/2018 Manic Street Preachers Let’s Rock The NE 2018 Alnwick Castle Madam Butterfly (Opera North) Metro Radio Arena (Kim Wilde, Midge Ure, ABC + 14/7/2018 Circque Du Soleil Theatre Royal 23/4/2018 more) Metro Radio Arena 20/3/2018 until 22/3/2018 Herrington Country Park Il Divo 29/8/2018 until 2/9/2018 Gary Barlow, KT Tunstall 9/6/2018 Alnwick Castle Sam Smith Sunderland Empire 15/7/2018 Lindisfarne Festival Metro Radio Arena 30/4/2018 Great Exhibition of the North (The Levellers + more) 21/3/2018 Various locations Newcastle Pride Beal Farm, Northumberland Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds 22/6/2018 until 9/9/2018 Town Moor, Newcastle 30/8/2018 until 2/9/2018 The Big One Metro Radio Arena 20/7/2018 until 21/7/2018 (Newcastle Falcons 3/5/2018 Katy Perry Great North Run V Northampton Saints) Metro Radio Arena Iron Maiden Newcastle – South Shields St James’ Park Dacia Magic Weekend 25/6/2018 Metro Radio Arena 9/9/2018 24/3/2018 (Rugby League) 31/7/2018 St James Park Mouth of The Tyne Festival Chris Ramsey - Just Happy To Get Newcastle International Film 19/5/2018 until 20/5/2018 (Paloma Faith + Others) Kubix Festival Out Of The House Festival Tynemouth Priory (Right Said Fred, Fun Lovin’ Metro Radio Arena 29/3/2018 until 2/4/2018 This Is Tomorrow Festival 5/7/2018 until 8/7/2018 Criminals + more) 3/11/2018 (Catfish & The Bottlemen/Every- Herrington Country Park Fast & Furious Live thing Everything + more) Sunniside Live 9/8/2018 until 11/8/2018 Ross Noble - El Hablador Metro Radio Arena Spillers Wharf, Newcastle (Soul II Soul, Reverend & The Newcastle City Hall 6/4/2018 until 8/4/2018 25/5/2018 Makers, Cast + more) 21/11/2018 until 24/11/2018 THE JOURNAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2018 3 In association with The Leisure Industry 2018 Making sure you are ready for regulations THE impending introduction of the Given the fluctuation of profit ■ Ensuring accurate records are General Data Protection Regulation margins for leisure businesses, both maintained – what personal data is (GDPR) will have a particularly seasonally and annually, the impact held, where it came from and who it significant effect on the leisure and of such financial penalties could be is shared with hospitality sector, so operators must hugely damaging. ■ Having correct procedures in ensure they are fully compliant with Compliance with the regulations place to ensure individuals’ rights the new arrangements. will be more stringent, with more of are upheld From 25 May 2018, when the an emphasis on the documentation ■ Ensuring correct systems in place GDPR comes into force, the ways in that a business must keep to to verify individuals’ ages and obtain which companies and businesses demonstrate their accountability. any necessary parent or guardian process and store personal data will While many businesses have consent to process their data change. traditionally had a casual approach ■ Storing personal data securely For the leisure industry, personal to handling personal data, that can and having the right procedures in data – meaning any information by no longer be the case. place to detect, report and investi- which an individual can be identi- Some of the key areas in which gate a breach fied – is processed constantly, operators must ensure they are ■ Designating someone to take through the likes of customer compliant are: responsibility for compliance (if not bookings and reservations, customer ■ Ensuring policies are accessible required to formally designate a mailing lists, orders and communi- and transparent and having a Data Protection Officer). cation with customers and any privacy policy in place which The GDPR are wider reaching information used for direct market- adequately details how personal regulations than have ever previ- ing and social media communica- data will be handled ously been in force, and the conse- tion. ■ Ensuring consent is given by quences of failing to comply could All of these actions involve the individuals for the collection of data be serious for leisure operators. collection and processing of and subsequent processing activi- Ahead of their introduction, personal data, so from May onwards, ties, such as promotions and direct businesses should be proactive in businesses must be compliant with marketing.