Directors Steve and Mervyn attended a seminar this week, held at the Drum Theatre in Plymouth, which discussed the benefits of businesses giving their support for the Plymouth World Cup bid team.

Chaired by Douglas Fletcher, the seminar heard from key partners of the bid team: Viv Anderson MBE, the former England, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Manchester United footballer; an FA Ambassador for the England World Cup bid; Lee Roberts, from the entertainment giants AEG; and Keith Todd CBE, Executive Director of Plymouth Argyle Football Club.

Douglas Fletcher reminded the business community in Devon and Cornwall of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of having world class football matches held in Plymouth, should England secure the FIFA World Cup finals in either 2018 or 2022.

He stated: “The detailed calculations and analysis we have done shows a benefit to the economy of £164million, with 4,700 jobs created.

“The World Cup generates massive TV audiences around the world, a marketing opportunity for Devon and Cornwall that will not be achieved in any other way.

“It is now time for the business community to do its bit and get fully behind the effort to bring the World Cup to England”.

Keith Todd, on behalf of Plymouth Argyle, added: “We all, as individuals and businesses, need to get fully behind the England bid and bring the World Cup back to this country.

“This will be good economically, socially and for all footballers across the region.”

Bluestone360, who have been involved with providing design and communication material, back the plea for the business community to support the bid by asking all employees to show their support for the bid by signing up on the www.england2018bid.com or www.plymouthworldcupbid.com websites and to purchase England bid merchandise.

Businesses have also been asked to help financially either by signing up for one of the England sponsorship packages, with the help of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, or making by a £1,000 donation to the Plymouth Would Cup Bid Company which was set up to bid for the Host City status.

After 250 donations, the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce will be an Official Supporter of the England bid under the England Sponsorship program and all Chamber members will be able to use the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce England support logo.