Blog by Richard McCoull, Reading FC Business Development Manager

Throughout the past year, media headlines have been dominated by tales of woe as Britain heads into recession, and it can't be denied that the current market conditions are difficult.

My role as Business Development Manager for Reading Football Club is to secure new hospitality, advertising and sponsorship business whilst also maintaining relationships with our existing clients, and in the last six months that task has become increasingly difficult as the effects of the credit crunch take their toll.

However, there is reason for optimism; a recent study by Experian has identified Reading as the best placed local economy in the United Kingdom to withstand the downturn, with an estimated economic activity (GVA) annual growth rate of 3.5% forecast for 2010-2026.

Projected Average Annual GVA Growth, 2010-2026, top ten UK cities:

1 Reading 3.5%
2 Milton Keynes 2.9%
3 Nottingham 2.9%
4 Northampton 2.6%
5 Portsmouth 2.6%
6 Bristol 2.6%
7 Cardiff 2.5%
8 Inner London 2.5%
9 Manchester 2.5%
10 Peterborough 2.5%

Source: National Statistics, Experian (global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services).

This is very encouraging news and, amid all the doom and gloom, those of us in the Thames Valley corridor should take a moment to reflect that we live and work in a region that is well placed to remain prosperous and thriving despite the global economic difficulties.

It is also supports our long-held belief that Reading FC enjoys one of the best locations, if not the very best, out of all professional football clubs in the country. With our close proximity to London and Heathrow Airport, excellent transport links in all directions, a strong local economy and a lack of directly competing professional football clubs in close proximity, our potential for growth is enormous. This is further enhanced by the on-site presence of the 200-room Millennium Madejski Hotel and the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre.

Of course, we must also be realistic and we have a great deal of sympathy for those local businesses, including many of our long-standing clients, who are struggling at the moment. With this in mind we have decided to hold our seasonal hospitality pricing at this season's level, regardless of our divisional status. This means there is still an opportunity for those wishing to entertain clients economically at the most popular sport in the world.

In the longer-term though, we can feel confident that Reading and the surrounding area will continue to lead the way in development of the national economy for many years to come.

The positive outlook for our local economy should also mean that Reading Football Club remains a good place to invest your company's hospitality and marketing budgets.

Having been employed by Reading Football Club since 1997, I have been fortunate to witness how our hospitality, advertising and sponsorship activities have increased exponentially since we moved from to Madejski Stadium from Elm Park more than 10 years ago, and we remain confident that trend will continue thanks to our superb location within the UK's most recession-proof local economy.

Richard McCoull, Business Development Manager

Call Richard on 0118 968 1302 or email rmccoull@readingfc.co.uk for more information on hospitality, advertising and sponsorship opportunities at Reading Football Club.