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Regional Keswick and Carlisle · Cumberland

Tour de France is coming in 2027, and the council wants local businesses ready for it Tour de France 2027: Cumberland businesses and groups urged to sign up for free Keswick event

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From Cumberland Council
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Tour de France 2027: Cumberland businesses and groups urged to sign up for free Keswick event
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The Tour de France finishes a stage in Carlisle and starts one in Keswick in July 2027. If you run a business or a group, there's a free event in Keswick on 12 November to find out how to get in on it.

If you run a business or a community group in West Cumbria, or you're just wondering what all this Tour de France talk means for round here, this one's for you.

The 2027 Tour starts in Edinburgh. The first stage finishes in Carlisle on Friday 2 July, and stage two sets off from Keswick on Saturday 3 July, heading through the Lakes and Lancashire to Liverpool. Cumberland Council is hosting both stages.

The council's put on a free morning event at Keswick Pencil Factory on Thursday 12 November. It's called Tour de France Grand Départ 2027: Bringing JOY to Cumberland. JOY is the national scheme to make sure communities get something lasting out of the race. It's for businesses, groups and partners, and it's about how the race can bring money and good stuff to the area long after the bikes have gone. Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer is speaking, and there's networking, questions and a panel with the University of Cumbria and Cumbria Tourism.

Cllr Fryer said: "We urge businesses and community groups to get involved. Join us at our event to find out more."

It's going to be busy. Cumbria's police, fire and crime commissioner David Allen reckons 40,000 to 50,000 people will turn up at the start areas, maybe more.

What you can do Book your place on the council's Tour de France business information page. There are drop-ins too: the Assembly Rooms in Carlisle's Old Town Hall on Friday 13 November (2pm to 6pm), Keswick Rugby Club on Wednesday 25 November (4pm to 8pm) and Botcherby Community Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday 2 December (11am to 3pm). There's nowt booked on the west coast yet, so Keswick's your nearest.

Cumberland Council is inviting businesses and community groups to a free morning event at Keswick's Pencil Factory on Thursday 12 November about the 2027 Grand Départ, when stage one finishes in Carlisle and stage two starts in Keswick. Drop-ins follow in Carlisle and Keswick.

This is for West Cumbrian businesses, community groups and anyone wondering what the Tour de France will mean for the area next summer.

The 2027 Grand Départ begins in Edinburgh, with the opening stage finishing in Carlisle on Friday 2 July. Stage two starts in Keswick on Saturday 3 July and travels through the Lake District and Lancashire to Liverpool. Cumberland Council is the host authority for both stages.

The council has organised a free morning event, called Tour de France Grand Départ 2027: Bringing JOY to Cumberland, at Keswick Pencil Factory on Thursday 12 November. It is aimed at businesses, community organisations and partners, and will cover how the race could bring lasting economic and social benefits. JOY is the national social impact programme for the Grand Départ. Speakers include council leader Cllr Mark Fryer, and there will be networking, a Q&A and a panel with the University of Cumbria and Cumbria Tourism.

Cllr Fryer said: "We urge businesses and community groups to get involved. Join us at our event to find out more."

The crowds will be large. Cumbria's police, fire and crime commissioner, David Allen, has said 40,000 to 50,000 people are expected at the start areas, if not more.

What you can do Sign up for the Keswick event through the council's Tour de France business information page. Drop-in sessions for businesses and residents are planned at the Assembly Rooms in Carlisle's Old Town Hall on Friday 13 November (2pm to 6pm), Keswick Rugby Club on Wednesday 25 November (4pm to 8pm) and Botcherby Community Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday 2 December (11am to 3pm). None is in West Cumbria so far, so the Keswick event is the nearest for most of us.