The government is seeking views on the proposed exceptions to the advertising and trading restrictions under the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Act 2020. This consultation closes at midday on 11 January 2021.

To ensure Sandwell businesses that are affected have their say they are being encouraged to get involved in the consultation. The aim is to inform the government’s approach and ensure that restrictions are targeted proportionately.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from 28 July to 8 August. It will be the biggest sporting event ever held in Birmingham and the West Midlands, featuring thousands of world-class athletes from 72 nations and territories and over a million spectators and a global audience estimated at 1.5 billion people.

The Games will open up a wealth of opportunities and showcase Birmingham, Sandwell, the West Midlands and the entire country to the rest of the world as a place to live, work, study and do business.

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games Act 2020 provides a small number of temporary, essential operational measures to ensure the Games are delivered successfully, and is similar to legislation from previous major multi-sport events in the UK, including the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The act includes provisions to restrict advertising and trading in and around Games locations. Such measures will help to ensure:

• The rights of commercial sponsors are protected
• There is a consistent approach to venues in line with Commonwealth Games branding
• Spectators can move easily and safely in and around Games locations.

The consultation is open to all, but the government would especially like to hear from anyone with an interest in the exceptions to the advertising and trading restrictions under the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Act 2020, in particular from:

• Birmingham 2022
• Those local authorities hosting a Birmingham 2022 venue
• Other groups that could be affected by the restrictions such as traders, out of home advertisers and their representative bodies.

You can find out more about the consultation and respond online here or visit the government website.