Exec Peterborough
Press Release 10 November 2011
Sporting legends and snooker fans drawn to Peterborough venue
WITH Peterborough having just pulled in its biggest ever audience to a sporting event in the city – there is the possibility of more of the same over the next 12 months.
More than 1.5 million viewers tuned in to the World Senior Snooker Championships at Exec Peterborough, televised live over the weekend by Sky Sports.
The venue at the East of England Showground hosted an audience of around 2,000 snooker fans over the two days – many of whom saw Welshman Darren Morgan lift the trophy following a final 2-1 frame victory over veteran Steve Davis.
Exec Peterborough is one of the most versatile venues in the region, and its location and facilities were not only a big hit with the organisers of the famous snooker tournament, but also the players themselves – many of them household names, who say the hospitality they received was second to none.
Ivan Hirschowitz of World Snooker said: “We staged the World Seniors Championship at Exec Peterborough and it was a real success, well attended by local fans and supported by the local media.
“Many of snooker’s legendary players, as well as our own team and the crew from Sky Sports TV, were impressed by the venue and the facilities.”
Over the two-day event, the city and Exec Peterborough received prime-time TV exposure – and the early success of this and the smooth running of the event has already paid off.
Exec Peterborough managing director Keith Dalton said: “The feedback from everyone – including the fans and visitors to the players and event organisers – has been wonderful. In fact Sky Sports have been in touch with a view to staging some amazing sporting events at the venue over the next 12 months.
“Early discussions are taking place over hosting televised darts, boxing, and other snooker competitions here, as well as sporting ‘evenings with ..’ and speedway events.
“To be recognised as a venue that has the capacity, facilities and capability to stage something on a large national scale, and to be watch by so many people, is fantastic – not only for us a regional conference and event venue, but for the city and everyone who lives and works here.”
And from Snooker to Ice-Skating – the venue will undergo another transformation in February next year as the famous Holiday On Ice tour takes place in Peterborough as part of the national dates.
For live action of Darren Morgan receiving the title, visit
http://www.exec.org.uk/news/SnookerFootage.htm
