Durham Cricket Club saw turnover and profits jump last year as the sporting world began to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The club, based at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street, has published accounts for the year ending September 30 2021 in which turnover rose significantly, from £4.649m to £7.109m as sporting events returned to the calendar following the lifting of Government lockdowns in the wake of Covid-19.
Operating profit saw a fourfold increase, from £320,226 to £1.298m, and pre-tax profit also rocketed from £343,696 to £1.055m.
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Chairman Sir Ian Botham recounted in his report how the cricketing world began to emerge from the pandemic and that, despite the early season fixtures being played behind closed doors, May saw the return of spectators in limited numbers that increased throughout the season.
He said: “The club remain indebted to the huge support of all fans and members that helped the business through one of its most challenging periods.”
He highlighted how the club took part in a number of competitions, including the county championship, the RL50 tournament and how the T20 Blast saw four wins from the first six fixtures before the team exited before the quarter final stages.
At the same time, the club undertook several contingency measures in order to protect the business, while it was affected by the impacts of the pandemic.
He said: “With the Riverside closed for much of the period the club were required to rely on the assistance of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant as well as the Covid Business Loan.”
However, he said the pandemic also allowed the club to realign the events and hospitality business, which is now fully owned by Durham Cricket.
Sir Ian added: “This business had a satisfactory first trading year but the board are confident it will continue to grow and provide further revenues to the group.
“I must also mention the tremendous support we receive from the Durham Cricket Board and their chairman Bob Jackson as our relationship becomes ever stronger. Finally I would like to say thank you to all the staff who work at Durham all year round and to our members and supporters whose enthusiastic backing for the team has never wavered and continues to drive us forward.”
Looking ahead, director Tim Bostock says in his report that the focus will remain on controlling staff costs and other overheads while pursuing additional sources of income, to add to the guaranteed one international fixture which comes to the North East each year.
Its priority in the year ahead is to finalise the funding of a 130-bed hotel at the Riverside, as well as a major pavilion refurbishment in partnership with Durham County Council.
He added: “The commercial development of the ground and the continued growth of T20 revenues, including revenue from the Hundred competition will be key new drivers of income.”
