A cafe owner has spoken of his "relief" that international cricket is set to return to Headingley Stadium this summer.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club were initially stripped of international status following their handling of the Azeem Rafiq racism row.
With the threat of big crowds not returning to Headingley in 2022, cafe owner Jason Cunningham told YorkshireLive last year: "I'd be better off going and cooking in Wetherspoons."
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Earlier this month though, the England and Wales Cricket Board said this summer's upcoming England matches can now be played at Headingley - on the condition that further steps are taken by the end of March.
Not only will it fill a multi-million pound black hole for the club, but it is also a massive boost for local businesses like Jason's.
"Takings aren't particularly massive, but when the cricket is on, we do a week’s takings in a day and we might do a month’s takings in a week," said Jason, whose Ugly Mugs cafe on St Michael's Lane overlooks Headingley Stadium.
"The cricket is the backbone of what we do."
Jason's business has a steady stream of regular customers throughout the year, but international matchdays are unlike anything else.
He said: "I'd like to know what's going on outside, because up until the match starts I don't leave here [the kitchen]. I don't move from this spot. I don't know what's happening out there.
"All I can see are people waiting to buy food.
"It's manic. It’s very, very, very busy."
Jason told YorkshireLive he was always pretty certain that the new leadership regime at YCCC would "placate the powers that be" in order to regain international status.
And with England now due to host New Zealand in a Test match and South Africa in a One-Day International at Headingley later this year, Jason can plan to expand his business.
"If I don't have the cricket, I can't employ anybody else at all," he said.
"The cricket and the rugby allow me to get other staff and then we can start doing deliveries, outdoor catering and farmers markets.
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"We had a rugby match the other day. It was on Channel Four, so the day before I had the TV crew, lighting, executives, all kinds of people coming in here.
"It's not just matchdays. It’s the day before and it's all the people who are connected to the matchday.
"It means I can run as a business with more confidence. I can say to somebody: ‘There's a match on Saturday. I'll need you on Friday and Saturday, so you've definitely got two days work.’
"It's great for me. I am looking forward to it."
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