Trade influx

STAFF from Castletown’s Breakwater Hotel are looking forward to the influx of people the games will attract.

From barmaids to managers the staff are looking forward to the spirit of games bringing everyone together and taking the opportunity to show what Castletown had to offer.

The hotel’s manager Simon White said they were also looking forward to the economic boost the games would have on the area.

He said; “I’m certainly looking forward to the Olympics and looking forward to the spirit which brings people together during the games.”

He added: “We have a lot of queries about the Olympics, but as a businesses, for us, it will be great.

Mascots

LONDON 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville now feature in their own comic capers in the iconic Beano.

Their next story goes on sale on 14 September.

The mascots are already proving a hit at ODEON Cinemas UK-wide.

You can still catch the start of their journey, ‘Out of a Rainbow’, screening exclusively before selected family films until September 29.

Follow their adventures at www.beano.com/characters/dennis-gnasher/fun-zone/hello-wenlock-and-mandeville

Money matters

THE London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd (LOCOG) has published its 2010/11 financial report and accounts.

The core operating budget for the London 2012 Games is circa £2billion, and is financed by private-sector revenue programmes, including domestic and international sponsorship, merchandising and licensing, ticket sales, and a proportion of the revenue raised by the IOC through selling global television broadcast rights, and global sponsorship.

LOCOG has reached its domestic sponsorship target of £700million, in addition, the company has signed deals for licensed merchandise sales which will generate a minimum guaranteed amount of £44million, with income expected to be in the region of £86million.

LOCOG has also secured £266million of contractual hospitality ticketing income and client group ticket sales.

This excludes income from public ticket sales for the Olympic Games.

Tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games are on sale until September 26 this year.

View the report at www.london2012.com

Travel planning

A ONE-STOP travel shop is offering free help for London 2012 spectators wishing to plan their routes a year ahead of the Games.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is encouraging spectators to start planning their journeys to venues now that event tickets have been allocated.

The online London 2012 spectator journey planner and travel pages – www.london2012.com/travel – is the first comprehensive travel tool to have been specifically created for an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It aims to help Games ticket holders plot their routes to venues from anywhere in Great Britain by rail, coach, bus, river or Tube.

Those with accessibility requirements will be able to plan the most suitable routes through the website, such as stations with lifts or ramps.

After selecting their chosen travel modes and routes, spectators are then linked directly to the relevant travel provider to purchase their travel tickets.

The online tool was created in partnership between the ODA, LOCOG, Department for Transport and ATOS.