Townspeople urged to accomodate cricket fans (From The Advertiser Series)

Townspeople urged to accomodate cricket fans

4:17pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Chester-le-Street

A BUSINESSWOMAN is urging Chester-le-Street to open their homes to cricket fans.

Durham County Cricket Club hosts The Ashes game between England and Australia between August 9 and 13.

Hotel accommodation will be in short supply for miles around as thousands of fans flock to the area.

Dawn Gray, who runs Simply Lettings, a property management and accommodation agency, says residents could ease the shortage by renting out spare rooms to cricket fans.

She is inviting residents to register with her website and plans to donate half the registration fee to the town’ S war memorial group.

Ms Gray said sites offering private broom rental were more common in other parts of the country.

“People coming to cricket matches often end up staying in hotels in Newcastle or South Shields, which is ridiculous.

“They have to travel in to the town and back again each day, which adds to the traffic problems.

“If they could stay in the town they would be able to walk to the ground, which would ease the congestion.

“It would also mean they could visit the town centre and support local businesses.”

Anyone interested can find out more by calling 0191-388 9244 or visiting www.sim,plylettingsnortheast.com