Glasgow hosted a Games Legacy Summit, with Cllr Gordon Matheson, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, meeting with Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham.

Sir Richard was Leader of Manchester City Council when the city hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Sir Robin, as Mayor of Newham- is heavily involved in the preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

What they all have in common is the responsibility for hosting mega-events. Manchester memorably hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, London will host the Olympic Games in 2012 and Glasgow will be the host city of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The three gathered together to discuss the impact and legacy of hosting mega-events such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

At the summit, the huge benefits that the Games have brought and will continue to bring to each of these host cities were discussed. The legacy of these Games is that they leave their hosts better off economically, environmentally, culturally and socially.

Glasgow has already enjoyed a significant economic legacy in preparing for 2014, and will continue to do so. The city’s firms have secured contracts worth �178million through the Commonwealth Business Portal and more than 1300 apprenticeships have been created for school leavers since 2009 by the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative. A Commonwealth Games Jobs Fund, which will support the creation of 1000 jobs in the city by July 2012, has also been established.

Manchester enjoyed a hugely successful Commonwealth Games in 2002, and its legacy planning brought significant benefits, such as local companies enjoying an increase of �22 million in their turnover. In terms of infrastructure, the Games were a catalyst for widespread redevelopment for the east of the city. By 2008 �600 million had been invested in the region and 6,300 jobs had been created in the local area.

Cllr Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Games Legacy Summit was a fantastic opportunity for us to find out more about what Manchester did so well in 2002, the legacy that was left and the impact that the preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games are having in London. Glasgow has already gained a legacy from the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and the legacy plans we have in place will ensure that we make the best of this unique chance for the city. We all learned a great deal from each other.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Properly planned as part of a long-term strategy, major sporting events have a real and positive impact on economic growth, regeneration and community benefit. The Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002 was a real catalyst for the renewal of the old former industrial area of East Manchester and a key economic driver for the Manchester city-region as a whole. Nine years later we are still reaping the benefits. I am pleased to see that Glasgow’s legacy plans mean they are heading the same way.”

Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham - where two thirds of London 2012 will take place - said: “The Olympics is all about inspiring people. I have always said the real benefits of the Games come in making people’s lives better. They will provide a huge boost to the regeneration of Newham and we will be working hard to maximise the opportunities for local people. We hope the Commonwealth Games will have a similar impact in Glasgow. It was great to see the progress and preparations today.”

During the summit, the three civic leaders toured a number of the sites being prepared for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and met with some key figures involved in preparing and delivering the Games, including Councillor Archie Graham, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor George Redmond, Chair of Glasgow Life, George Black, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council and John Scott, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014

There are six legacy themes in the Glasgow 2014 Legacy Framework - a more prosperous Glasgow, a more active Glasgow, a Glasgow with an enhanced international image and outlook, a greener Glasgow, a more accessible Glasgow and a more inclusive Glasgow.

More information on the council’s work on ensuring that Glasgow and Glaswegians are left with a lasting legacy from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games can be found at: www.gameslegacyglasgow.com.