Latest news : Olympic venues to provide jobs

Two Olympic Games venues will provide 250 jobs after the event finishes this summer. 10/01/2012

Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) will operate the aquatic centre and handball arena and it has also been announced that Balfour Beatty Workplace will run the observation tower.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company said six of the eight venues have had their future decided, with some 254 workers and 86 apprentices being employed at these venues.

‘This is a ringing endorsement of our 2012 legacy and regeneration plans for East London are an amazing achievement by the Legacy Company.

‘To find operators to take over these world class facilities so far ahead of the Games and to secure their commitment to spread jobs and opportunities throughout the local communities is the icing on the 2012 cake,’ said the mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

It is thought that up to 80,000 people would use the aquatics centre after the Olympic Games each year, while the handball arena will be utilised for concerts, exhibitions and sporting events.

The observation tower, ArcelorMittal Orbit, is expected to attract one million visitors a year with both companies agreeing to employ local workers who are namely from East London.

The announcement leaves means that only the Olympic Stadium and International Press and Broadcast Centres are the remaining venues still waiting on their long-term futures to be decided.

Cllr Afzal Akram, Waltham Forest Council cabinet member for business and employment welcomed the decision.

‘Its brilliant news the people who are securing the Olympic sites now are committing to local work programmes. It’s a massive boost for employment for our residents. Our hit rate [for Olympic jobs] is quite good - 90 per cent of those we refer to them for jobs do land a job, so we’re excited to work with them on this,’ he said.