SHOPS and homes will soon be a riot of yellow and blue as Middlesbrough gears up to welcome the cream of world cycling.
And one of the town’s leading shopping locations is putting its name behind the colourful window displays that will welcome the Tour de Yorkshire to town.
The Hillstreet Shopping Centre is sponsoring a major competition find the best decorated businesses and homes in the build-up to the Tour’s arrival on Sunday, May 1.
Winners of the Best Dressed Business and the Best Dressed Community competitions will be announced in the run-up to the big day.
Hillstreet Shopping Centre Manager Peter Drabble said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is already the talk of the town, and shops and businesses are all champing at the bit to get involved.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the imagination and designs that will help to transform the town centre, and will add to the growing sense of excitement in the build-up to the big day.
“The shop window displays and home decorations will add a great dash of colour and creativity to homes and businesses, and I’m sure the judges will have a tough task picking a winner.”
The countdown is now well and truly under way to Sunday, May 1 when the riders of the Tour de Yorkshire will gather in Centre Square for the much-anticipated final stage of this year’s race.
Some of the leading names in world cycling will roll out through the town before tackling a challenging and hilly 198km route to Scarborough. The route through Middlesbrough is due to be confirmed shortly.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “We’ve been bowled over by the response to the news that the Tour de Yorkshire is coming here, and Middlesbrough is pulling out all the stops to ensure
“With just 50 days to go, preparations are in full swing for what will be truly memorable weekend.
“The retail and home dressing competitions are a great opportunity for people to get involved, and really lift the whole town for riders and visitors alike.”
Details of how to enter the Retail Best Dressed Business and the Best Dressed Community competitions will be issued shortly.
For full details of the 2016 Tour de Yorkshire, visit letour.yorkshire.com/ and for regular updates on Middlesbrough’s build-up to the big day, visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk and lovemiddlesbrough.com/enjoytheride